Updated Post: November 18 @ 4:58 pm
The Mets’ busy Monday continues with their third signing of the day. The team announced they signed RHP Justin Hagenman to a split one-year Major League deal.
The right-hander pitcher spent the 2024 campaign in the Red Sox Minor League system. He pitched for the Triple-A Worcester team, appearing in 28 games, and starting 15 of those. He finished the season with a 4-6 record and 4.91 ERA through 91 2/3 innings pitched, a career-high. He struck out 98 pitchers and walked 31. Of the 90 hits he allowed, 21 were home runs.
However, he seemed to be turning a corner in his final five starts last season. He struck out 26 batters and walked only five batters in 26 innings, pitching to a 3.46 ERA.
Just dealin'.
Justin Hagenman fired six shutout innings for the @WooSox earning his fourth win of the season. pic.twitter.com/N5ECKwTidm
— Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) August 26, 2024
Hageman has never seen major league action and has pitched 409 innings across the Red Sox and Dodgers organizations. He owns a career 3.87 ERA in the minors. He throws in the low to mid-90s and his pitch mix consists of a sinker, cutter, changeup and slider.
With Hagenman’s signing, the Mets’ 40-man roster stands at 34 entering Monday evening. On Tuesday at 6 pm ET, they must add which every Rule 5 eligible prospects they want protected to the 40-man roster as well. Pitchers Mike Vasil and Dom Hamel are likely bets to be added.
Original Post: November 18 @ 12:37 pm
The Mets have stayed busy with the offseason in full swing, this time adding a pair of depth signings to their roster.
On Sunday, the Mets signed infielder Donovan Walton to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. On Monday, the Mets announced they signed left fielder Rafael Ortega to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.
Walton was initially selected by the Mets in the 36th round of the 2012 MLB Draft but elected to instead play three seasons at Oklahoma State before being selected in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, where he spent the next six seasons, primarily at the minor league level.
The 30-year-old has appeared in just 70 major league games since 2016. During those games, Walton hit .174/.227/.305, with a .532 OPS. He has 11 doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 22 RBIs.
Walton spent the 2024 season with the San Francisco Giants organization. He played in just nine Major League games last season, spending most of the season in Triple-A, where he had a successful season. He batted .306/.380/.441, with a .821 OPS. He had 17 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, and 51 RBIs. He also had a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings.
Ortega is no stranger to the Mets. In 2023, the 33-year-old played in 47 games for the Mets. He batted .219/.341/.272, with a .613 OPS during those 47 games. That included three doubles and a home run. He saw time in all three outfield positions.
Ortega has bounced around organizations for the majority of his career. He has spent time with the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, the Mets, and now back with the Mets.
He has a career slash line of .245/.322/.349, with a .671 OPS. He has 45 doubles, four triples, 22 home runs, and 110 RBIs.
Ortega was with the Chicago White Sox organization in 2024, spending most of that season with Triple-A.
The post Mets Make Trio of Depth Signings appeared first on Metsmerized Online.
