Ryan Clifford will be the Mets system’s sole representative at the 2026 All-Star Futures Game on Sunday afternoon.
Acquired with Drew Gilbert in exchange for Justin Verlander at the 2023 Trade Deadline, Clifford entered the season ranked the Mets’ No. 8 prospect by Amazin’ Avenue. He is currently ranked No. 2 by MLB Pipeline after the graduations of players like Nolan McLean, Carson Benge, and A.J. Ewing.
The 22-year-old first baseman has spent the entire season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he’s hitting .198/.286/.399 with 16 homers and 47 RBI through 85 games played. Clifford has also seen time at the corner outfield positions this season, getting 16 starts in left field and 13 in right to go with 48 starts at first base and six at designated hitter. But his calling card is his power, with 88 homers over the past four seasons. If Clifford goes deep in the Futures Game, he would be the first Met to homer in the event since Francisco Alvarez in 2021.
First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, and the game will air on NBC.