Ryan Clifford, a highly regarded prospect in the New York Mets organization, is enduring a challenging season in Triple-A. The 2026 campaign has been particularly tough for the power-hitting lefty, whose performance has fallen significantly short of expectations.
Clifford's struggles at the plate have been alarming, with his batting average plummeting to .176 and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of just .617 over the course of 105 games with the Syracuse Mets this year. His offensive profile has always included a propensity for strikeouts, but this season, his strikeout rate has soared to an alarming 38%, the highest among all hitters in Triple-A with over 200 plate appearances.
Things reached a low point for Clifford when he was placed on the development list after a particularly rough outing in Jacksonville, where he struck out five times in a single game. At that juncture, he had managed only one hit in his last 41 at-bats, which included an astonishing 26 strikeouts over an 11-game stretch. The statistics paint a grim picture, as he was hitting just .108 with an 8 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) over his previous 45 games as of early June.
Despite these troubling numbers, the Mets have not lost faith in Clifford's potential. The organization is hopeful that he can turn things around and return to the form he displayed last season. In 2025, Clifford showcased his talent by posting an impressive .826 OPS and hitting 29 home runs across 139 games between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, leading all Mets minor leaguers in home runs.
Mets director of hitting Kevin Mahala expressed optimism about Clifford's ability to overcome his current struggles. “Progress and development is not linear, and it’s not uncommon for a young player at the upper levels of minor league baseball to go through some struggles,” Mahala stated. He emphasized the importance of making adjustments during tough times and expressed confidence that Clifford has the capability to do so. “If he does, the sky is the limit,” Mahala added.
Recently, there was a glimmer of hope for Clifford as he returned from the development list. In his first game back, he managed to draw two walks and hit a solid single with a velocity of 100.7 mph, signaling a potential turnaround. Although his overall production has been disappointing, his quality of contact metrics remain impressive, indicating that he still possesses the raw talent that made him a coveted prospect.
However, the key issue remains his inability to make consistent contact. Mahala noted that Clifford's contact rates have declined significantly, and his once-strong plate discipline has also slipped. The Mets are focused on helping him regain those essential skills to unlock his full potential. “When you maintain those plate discipline skills along with his power, you have a really special hitter,” Mahala commented.
Acquired from the Houston Astros in the 2023 trade for Justin Verlander, Clifford was expected to be a candidate for a promotion this season, particularly as the Mets sought to bolster their lineup. His versatility as a defender could have provided the team with options, especially at first base. However, given his current performance, the likelihood of him being added to the Mets' 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft appears slim.
As the regular season draws to a close, Clifford faces a critical month to regain momentum and demonstrate that he can still be a significant contributor in the future. While it remains to be seen if this season will ultimately be a pivotal turning point in his development, the Mets are committed to helping him find success. Mahala encapsulated the sentiment well: “This game is really hard and humbling. He’s been tested this year, but all the potential we saw last year is still there. Our goal is to get back to the best version of Ryan Clifford.”
Leave a Comment