SAN FRANCISCO — As the Mets monitor the market for potential outfield assist, Drew Gilbert’s inventory is rising as an inside choice for a main league function.
The 24-year-old Gilbert is surging at Triple-A Syracuse, where he delivered two homers on Friday, giving him six for the month. He owns a 1.126 OPS in July.
The Mets view Gilbert as a plus defender in heart area — team officers were raving about a catch he made Thursday by racing into the hole — but continued offensive success will be the largest figuring out issue in whether he’s promoted for the stretch run.
“Drew is doing a tremendous job, and I think to his credit he is probably putting himself on the radar a little bit,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said before the Mets’ 8-1 win over the Giants at Oracle Park. “Offensively and defensively, he’s taken a step forward I would say over the last month or two.”
A left-handed bat, Gilbert could probably share heart area with Tyrone Taylor, permitting Jeff McNeil to transfer back to second base full time.
But that would have ramifications in reducing the at-bats acquired by gamers such as Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña.
“Offensively, he has put it together,” said a expertise evaluator who has watched Gilbert all through the season. “He controls the strike zone really well and hits the ball plenty hard. They have got to get him to hit the ball up in the air a little bit more, that’s all. He’s stronger than he looks.”
Drew Gilbert, working a drill during dash coaching, hit two home runs for Triple-A Syracuse on July 25, 2025. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
Gilbert, who arrived in the 2023 commerce that despatched Justin Verlander to the Astros, missed much of last season with hamstring accidents. Gilbert has remained wholesome this season.
He owns an .823 OPS with 14 homers in 314 at-bats total this season.
The Mets optioned reliever Alex Carrillo to Triple-A Syracuse and chosen lefty José Castillo to the main league roster.
Max Kranick was transferred to the 60-day injured checklist to create area on the 40-man roster for Castillo.
This sequence against the Giants is the begin of a nine-game stretch for the Mets against NL West opponents.
The Mets, who face the Padres next week before returning home to play the Giants, are 13-6 against NL West opponents this season.
Much of that success stems from a 6-0 report against the Rockies.
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