REPORT: Top prospect Brandon Sproat reflects on meeting Mets legend Dwight Gooden in camp

‘Being able to pick his brain and see what he has to say, that’s special’

Top prospect Brandon Sproat reflects on meeting Mets legend Dwight Gooden  in camp - Yahoo Sports

The Mets have a terrific list of guest instructors visiting camp this season.

Johan Santana kicked things off last week in Port St. Lucie.

Carlos Beltran and John Franco have been around the club this week.

Then on Thursday, there was another exciting visitor who joined them, as former Mets ace Dwight Gooden was spotted taking in batting practice and defensive drills from the Clover Park dugout prior to the game.

Most of the time, these visits are just ceremonial, but they also present an opportunity for some of the current players to receive words of wisdom from some of the biggest legends in franchise history.

That was the case for top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat, who spent some time chatting with Gooden just one day before he takes the mound for his first Grapefruit League outing.

“It was incredible,” Sproat told MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo on Thursday’s MLB Tonight. “A guy of that caliber back in the day, I’ve heard so many stories of him. Just being able to pick his brain and see what he has to say, that’s special.”

It certainly is a terrific opportunity for the 22-year-old right-hander, who is coming off a season in which he cruised through three levels of the minors, and is now just one step away from reaching the big leagues.

Sproat started the year allowing just three runs over six starts in Brooklyn. He quickly received a promotion to Double-A Binghamton, where he continued his domination, pitching to a 2.45 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 11 appearances.

But he finally hit a bit of a learning curve following a late-season promotion to Triple-A, where he struggled to the tune of a 7.85 ERA over his last seven starts, which was a topic of discussion between him and Gooden.

“He asked how Triple-A was,” Sproat said. “I mentioned to him I kind of got away from who I am as a pitcher — that’s trusting my stuff and being the aggressor out there. Wise words from Doc Gooden, that’s special. What he said I’m going to hold dearly and build on that.”

Even with the injuries in the Mets’ rotation, Sproat is expected to begin the year back down in Syracuse, where he’ll continue his development with that experience under his belt and now Gooden’s advice in the back of his mind.

Related Posts

🚨 MLB INSIDE RESET: The White Sox’s newly assembled coaching staff is raising quiet but serious questions across the league, as subtle hires, shifted responsibilities, and a clear change in philosophy hint at a deeper organizational reset. What looks like routine restructuring on the surface may actually signal a long term plan that hasn’t been fully explained yet — and insiders believe the real impact will only become clear once the season pressure hits.

The Chicago White Sox have finalized their coaching staff for the 2026 season following sweeping changes made at the end of September.

🚨 MLB INSIDE TRADE RUMBLINGS: The Braves are suddenly being linked to a bold trade for a $6 million NL rival left hander, a move insiders say could quietly solve multiple problems at once and even position him as a long term heir to Chris Sale. What looks like a low risk deal on paper may actually hide a far bigger plan, with Atlanta reportedly intrigued by a dynamic arsenal that hasn’t fully been unlocked yet — and the timing of this rumor is raising serious eyebrows across the league.

The Braves could go after a young star.

🚨 MLB INSIDE STORM BREWING: As hopes of an Alex Bregman return quietly fade, a new projection suggests the Red Sox may be preparing a jaw dropping $186 million swing for Bo Bichette, a move insiders believe could redefine Boston’s future in one bold stroke. What once seemed unrealistic is now gaining traction behind the scenes, and if this prediction turns real, the ripple effect could shock the AL East and completely change how this offseason is remembered.

A former MLB executive now believes that the Boston Red Sox will land coveted free agent infielder Bo Bichette from Toronto.

🚨 MLB INSIDE WHISPERS: Something big is quietly brewing behind closed doors in New York, as new projections hint the Yankees may be lining up an elite shortstop signing that goes far beyond a normal free-agency move. What started as a low-key prediction is now being viewed as a potential power shift, with insiders suggesting this decision could redefine the Yankees’ identity and force the entire American League to adjust sooner than expected.

The New York Yankees haven’t done much during the offseason, but MLB rumors continue to swirl. New York has been […]

Cubs Predicted To Land Marquee Free Agent Starting Pitcher On Six-Year Contract

The Cubs are in the market for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and David Schoenfield of ESPN predicted them to land Framber Valdez, previously of the Houston Astros.

🚨 INSIDE NFL REVELATION: The Packers reportedly had a stunning opportunity to sign an all time great for just $5 million, yet chose to walk away without even making a free agent offer — a quiet decision that is now raising serious questions inside the fanbase and league circles alike. What seemed insignificant at the time is suddenly being revisited as a potential turning point, with insiders suggesting this missed move could have changed far more than anyone realized.

Green Bay missed an opportunity.