Breaking; Mets closing in on trade for Ryan Helsley

[Stlcardsblues]

Mets get Helsley for Baez, Dohm, Elissalt. Done deal.

I think Baez has been playing for St. Lucie....is that the same Baez? If so...has some power...I believe.

I've seen so many Baez's this year....I might be confused

Started the year at St. Lucie. Was playing in Brooklyn at the time of the trade.

[JohnTudor1985]

Baez #6 prospect for Mets
Dohm #14

Baez was 92 coming into the year but just dropped out of top 100 in latest rankings.

[VegasVinny]

Jesus Baez SS/3B
Nate Dohm RHP
Frank Elissalt RHP

Knee-jerk reaction: positive.

I like the profile of the pitchers we’re getting (high K/9), and Baez was BA’s No. 92 pre-2025 prospect. I see his power his rated high but unless I’m looking at a different Jesus Baez, the OPS in games has yet to reflect it. Furthermore, the front office seems to be evolving in the sense that their actions are beginning to match their words and they’re seeking out guys with some tools.

[cardinalsfever44]

Frank Ellissalt Scouting Report

Miami native Frank Elissalt attended Southwest Miami Senior High School, where he earned All-District honors. Possessing a projectable frame and strong pitching fundamentals, he was considered a follow by scouts and evaluators in the crowded Florida baseball scene but went undrafted in the 2020 MLB Draft. As a freshman in 2021, he attended La Salle University, where he made 13 starts for the Explorers. Throwing 76.1 innings, he posted a 3.42 ERA with 57 hits allowed, 39 walks, and 95 strikeouts, the latter of which was second-most in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Elissalt transferred to Florida Southwestern State College for his sophomore season in the hopes of being drafted in the 2022 MLB Draft as a juco, but the right-hander did not hear his name called despite having a respectable season for the Buccaneers. Appearing in 15 games, starting 13, he posted a 3.92 ERA in 59.2 innings, allowing 56 hits, walking 30, and striking out 61. Following the conclusion of the season, he pitched for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the MLB Draft League, throwing an additional 24.1 innings over 10 appearances and posting a 5.18 ERA with 21 hits allowed, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts.

He transferred to Nova Southeastern University that summer and pitched for the Sharks in 2023, his junior year. Appearing in 14 games, all starts, he posted a 4.68 ERA in 67.1 innings, allowing 65 hits, walking 34, and striking out 60. Eligible for the 2023 MLB Draft, the right-hander once again went undrafted. He returned to Nova Southeastern University for his senior year, his role changed by head coach Adrian Morales from a starter to a fireman reliever, coming in whenever needed. The right-hander appeared in 19 games, starting 3, and posted a 3.71 ERA in 51.0 innings, allowing 48 hits, walking 17, and striking out 62.

The 6’2”, 210-pound right-hander throws from a low-three-quarters arm slot with traditional overhead windup and a long arm action through the back. His frame is sturdy and athletic, and his mechanics are simple and repeatable.

His fastball sits in the low-to-mid-90s, topping out as high as 94 MPH. In the MLB Draft League in 2022, his fastball spin rate was measured as high as 2690 RPM. As such, the pitch has great life. He complements it with a low-80s slider and a low-to-mid-80s changeup. His slider is the better of the two pitches, he as just has little more than a feel for the changeup at this point in his career.

[Stlcardsblues]

Jesus Baez SS/3B
Nate Dohm RHP
Frank Elissalt RHP

How many top 100? That’s all that matters

They were never getting a top 100 for a closer about to hit free agency. Return does seem mediocre, but time will tell.

[sdaltons]

So the top 2 guys have both already been hampered by injury?

[Wattage]

Yikes 3 players only in A+ ball.

I will say though, dohm and elissalt have promising pitching numbers thus far but they are still far away.

Baez was the higher rated prospect but he is hitting worse than he did the previous year so thats not the most promising.

[renostl]

Another middle infielder. Awesome.

Athlete with some RH power?

[Wattage]

Jesus Baez SS/3B
Nate Dohm RHP
Frank Elissalt RHP

How many top 100? That’s all that matters

They were never getting a top 100 for a closer about to hit free agency. Return does seem mediocre, but time will tell.

The pitchers have okay numbers but i was hoping for something a little closer to majors than A+ ball. At that level you are so far away and could easily wash out

[Red7]

Another middle infielder. Awesome.

With leg issues…

[Banner29]

Yikes 3 players only in A+ ball.

I will say though, dohm and elissalt have promising pitching numbers thus far but they are still far away.

Baez was the higher rated prospect but he is hitting worse than he did the previous year so thats not the most promising.

He’s only 20 years old. I don’t usually expect teens to fly through the system the way that someone like Juan Soto did

[KeeptheRamsinSTL]

Baez was far from the Mets’ biggest international addition in January 2022 when he signed for $275,000, but he’s quickly become one of the most notable prospects of anyone in that class. The right-handed slugger was named New York’s Dominican Summer League Player of the Year that first summer when he finished with a .744 OPS and seven homers across 54 games. His big stateside breakout came in 2024, when he opened with a .262/.338/.444 line and 10 homers in 64 games with Single-A St. Lucie. That prompted a late-June promotion to High-A Brooklyn, but Baez lasted only eight games with the Cyclones before suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee that required season-ending surgery.

Baez’s power blossomed in 2024 as he managed a 104.6 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity, among the Florida State League’s best at just 19 years old. It’s stout strength from his 5-foot-10 frame, and it helps that he can pull and lift the ball with authority. He’ll shorten his movements with two strikes, going from an open stance and leg kick to a more stationary load and doesn’t whiff much against any pitch type. He does chase a good amount, however, and more polished pitchers will be able to take advantage if he can’t reel in that approach.

The infielder will clock occasional solid home-to-first times, but he isn’t expected to be much of a runner as his body matures. The knee injury brings another question mark to his overall athleticism, but the Mets are hopeful he’ll at least return to 2024 levels after a long recovery. Baez could continue to get looks at shortstop and second base in his return, but he has the hands and arm strength for third if and when a full-time move transpires.

[craviduce]

the return for Helsley isn't bad....regressing Closer, whose fastball is hittable, and hitting FA in 2 months....not bad return. We'll see how it plays out.

[Red7]

Yikes 3 players only in A+ ball.

I will say though, dohm and elissalt have promising pitching numbers thus far but they are still far away.

Baez was the higher rated prospect but he is hitting worse than he did the previous year so thats not the most promising.

He had a severe knee injury. I’ve heard him compared to Delvin Perez…

[redbird1.2.3.4]

I feel a little better about wanting to keep him until the deadline, but not much.

[Futuregm2]

https://x.com/SleeperMets/status/1950698988170322260