New York Mets Prospect To Miss Season After Tommy John Surgery

Injury problems for the New York Mets pitching has even trickled down to the low minor league system now, as their top 15 prospect Joel Diaz has undergone Tommy John surgery. 

Sources: Mets right-handed pitching prospect Joel Díaz had Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2023 season.

The 19-year-old made his full season debut at 18 last year with Low-A St. Lucie Mets. Tossed 6 scoreless with 11 Ks in playoff game.

My #11 prospect in Mets system.

— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) March 31, 2023

Joel Diaz becomes the second, and much less famous, Diaz to have season-ending surgery for the Mets. 

Ranked as the team's No. 11 prospect, he's one of the more promising Mets young pitching prospects, though very raw. 

After acquiring him in the 2021 international signing period, the 19-year-old Dominican exploded onto the scene, posting a 0.54 ERA with 63 strikeouts and only nine walks over 50 1/3 innings in the Dominican Summer League.

Last year, however, with the Low-A St. Lucie Mets, he had a bit of a rocky indoctrination to affiliated ball, posting a 5.86 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 55 innings. But he finished the season on a high, with six scoreless innings in a playoff game, with 11 strikeouts. 

Unfortunately, due to the TJ surgery, he'll have to wait until 2024 to continue his rise. 

Photo: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports