The New York Mets present an intriguing mix of established stars and promising young talent heading into the 2026 fantasy baseball season. With standout hitters like Juan Soto and emerging pitcher Nolan McLean, along with high-upside players such as Carson Benge and Francisco Alvarez, fantasy managers have several options to consider for their drafts.
Francisco Alvarez’s Potential as a Catcher Despite Injuries
Francisco Alvarez has long been viewed as a valuable catcher option, but injuries have hampered his progress in recent years. Between 2024 and 2025, setbacks to his thumb and hand limited his playing time significantly. When healthy, Alvarez demonstrated notable power, hitting five home runs in just 59 at-bats during September 2024 and combining for 24 homers and 63 RBIs over 371 at-bats across the minors and majors in 2025.
His metrics show strength in exit velocity (93.1 mph) and a solid hard-hit rate (54.3%), though he still contends with a groundball swing path of nearly half his batted balls and a high strikeout rate of 26.4%. Despite these challenges, his counting stats by the end of 2025—55 runs scored, 24 home runs, and 63 RBIs—reflect significant upside if he can stay healthy.
Fantasy advisors consider a 25-home run projection plausible with full playing time, and while his durability concerns prevent overpaying, his combination of talent and draft position make him hard to overlook.
Juan Soto’s Elite All-Around Offensive Profile
Juan Soto enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season, surprising many by leading the National League in steals with 38 swipes at a 90.5% success rate. He also reached new heights in power, hitting a career-best 43 home runs while maintaining over 100 RBIs for a third consecutive year. Soto’s hitting metrics were impressive, featuring a five-year high in average hit rate (1.993), a strong contact batting average (.345), and an elite walk rate of 17.8%. His hard-hit ball percentage was among the league’s best, supported by a 93.8 mph exit velocity and an 18.1% barrel rate.
However, Soto’s power gains came alongside a career-worst strikeout rate of 19.2%, offset to some degree by a rising launch angle and increased flyball rate, which led to a 25.1% home run-to-flyball ratio. While his road batting average was a concern at .240 over 208 at-bats, he finished the season strong, batting .293 over his final 198 at-bats and peaking with a .322 average in June.
His projected 2026 output is approximately 110 runs, 35 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases, with some recovery expected in batting average. Yet, fantasy managers should temper expectations for similar stolen base production, which accounted for over a quarter of his roto value in 2025. Although Bobby Witt Jr. may slightly edge him due to positional advantage, Soto remains an elite talent in his prime, even as the lineup behind him appears less protective this season.
Luis Robert’s Injury Struggles Cloud His Upside
Once considered a rising star, Luis Robert’s fantasy value has diminished due to recurring injuries, missing 52 games in 2025—over a third of possible starts during the past five years—mainly due to hamstring issues. Despite this, he recorded 33 stolen bases. His underlying hitting metrics declined from his 2023 peak, with average hit rate dropping to 1.635 and contact batting average hitting a five-year low of .315. Strikeout rates have also remained elevated near 26% over recent seasons.
While Robert’s exit velocity and hard-hit rate showed slight improvement, his flyball metrics and home run-to-flyball ratio stayed below career norms. He struggled significantly against right-handed pitching, batting just .211 in nearly 300 at-bats. Following the Mets’ trade moves, Robert is expected to bat third or fourth, likely boosting his RBI chances in 2026.
Despite injury concerns, Robert still offers 30/30 potential if he can reduce strikeouts, making him a high-risk, high-reward fantasy candidate. His draft position has been rising through early 2026 as managers weigh his tantalizing upside against the risk his health issues present. A strong 2026 season might also enhance his free-agent value in 2027.
Carson Benge Emerges as a Promising Young Bat
Carson Benge was selected 19th overall in the 2024 draft based primarily on his offensive potential, despite having undergone Tommy John surgery previously. His collegiate career was impressive, hitting .339 with 25 homers, 107 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases over 445 at-bats, displaying elite contact skills with a .417 on-base rate and more walks than strikeouts.
In the minors across 496 at-bats and four levels, Benge hit .280 with solid counting stats, maintaining a walk rate over 13% and a relatively low strikeout rate. His transition to Triple-A last season presented challenges, as he hit only .178 in 90 at-bats, though his exit velocity and hard-hit ball rate remained strong, indicating his underlying tools remain intact.
Benge projects as a five-tool player likely to bat leadoff once he reaches the major leagues. He might begin 2026 in Triple-A, but his trajectory in spring training suggests a rapid promotion. Comparisons have been drawn to Grady Sizemore’s 2005 breakthrough season, though with an arguably more refined approach at the plate.
Nolan McLean’s Rise as a Two-Way Prospect Turned Pitching Asset
Initially drafted as a two-way athlete in the third round of 2023, Nolan McLean has shifted focus to pitching and made impressive strides in 2025. Between Double-A and Triple-A, he posted an 8-5 record with a 2.45 ERA, a WHIP of 1.126, and 127 strikeouts over 113.2 innings. His late-season call-up further solidified his promise, going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA, a WHIP near one, and 57 Ks across eight MLB starts.
McLean’s fastball sits at an above-average velocity near 96 mph, anchoring a diverse pitch mix. While his slider usage is heavy, it was less effective against hitters, whereas his sinker, curveball, four-seam fastball, and changeup showed strong results. He pitched a combined 161.2 innings across minor and major leagues last year, making him a candidate for around 30 starts in 2026 with manageable arm workload.
Draft analysts view McLean as a late-second to early-third starter option, straddling the line between breakout potential and failure risk due to control concerns and limited major league experience. His rapid increase in innings pitched over back-to-back seasons suggests careful monitoring, but he could emerge as a valuable fantasy rotation member.
Balancing Veteran Stars with Emerging Talent in Mets Fantasy Picks
Constructing a competitive fantasy team often involves balancing dependable superstars with high-upside breakout candidates. The Mets exemplify this dynamic entering 2026. Juan Soto remains a cornerstone for early-round selection, while players like Nolan McLean, Carson Benge, and Francisco Alvarez offer enticing late-round opportunities that could greatly exceed their current draft value.
For fantasy managers willing to take measured risks, the Mets’ blend of power hitters, speedsters, and promising pitching prospects could unlock significant advantages in mixed formats. Monitoring injury risks, player development, and lineup changes throughout the season will be key to maximizing returns on these picks.
