PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Ryan Clifford announced his presence with a mammoth blast at Mets major league camp last spring.
During the club’s spring breakout game in West Palm Beach, Clifford sent a pitch 449 feet over the fence in straightaway center field, flashing the power that helped earn him the status as the Mets’ No. 6 prospect by the end of the 2025 season.
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Since that moment, though, Clifford’s presence has somewhat been lost in the shuffle amid the awe-inspiring potential of Carson Benge and the rapid ascension of the next crop of arms in Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong.
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets center fielder Bo Bichette (19) talks to teammates during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets warm-up during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) during spring training at Clover park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette, left, talks to teammates during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets fans watch spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) ties his shoe during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Gear bags full of baseballs await the players during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) looks on during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) poses with Chase Kaldawy a fan visiting from Connecticut during the spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty’s (7) gear sits near a fowl line during the spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets players run on the field during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) and infielder Ronny Mauricio (0) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Francisco Lindor (12) speaks to bench coach Kai Correa (not pictured) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) plays catch during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (center) speaks to infielder Marcus Semien (left) and third base coach Tim Leiper (right) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) looks on during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) looks on from the field during spring trining at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) fields ground balls during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Christian Arroyo (21) fields a ground ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) fields a ground ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) watches a bullpen session during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga (34) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) bunts the ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) looks on before taking batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) gets ready to bat during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) takes batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to managers Carlos Mendoza (right) and assistant general manager Eduardo Brizuela (left) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets players take batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Mark Vientos (27) walks on the field with a bat during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Alex Carrillo (84) throws weighted wall ball drills during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Trey McGough (54) throws bullpen during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets bullpen coach José Rosado (67) watches bullpen pitching during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) throws a ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Brian Metoyer(6) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Fans watch a pitcher work in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) sits inside a dugout during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) walks inside a dugout during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) pitches during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Huascar Brazoban (43) pitches during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) delivers a pitch during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Clifford’s second straight non-roster invite to Mets spring training will be a big one for his growth and his perception in the organization.
The 22-year-old is entering his fifth minor league season after being drafted in the 11th round by the Astros out of in the 2022 MLB Draft. He made the leap to Triple-A Syracuse by the end of the 2025 season but remains in need of some seasoning to prove that he can make an MLB debut.
“Just kind of continue what I did last year, try to find more consistency,” Clifford said of his second big league stint in Port St. Lucie, Florida. “Goals are the same: cut strikeouts down and increase contact and usually good things happen when I do that. Just try to learn from the guys here and get the most out of it.”
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Clifford is one of the only prospects remaining from the Mets’ 2023 trade deadline fire sale that sent out Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, David Robertson, Tommy Pham and Mark Canha to retool the farm system. Luisangel Acuña and Drew Gilbert were dealt in trades that brought in Luis Robert Jr. this offseason and Tyler Rogers at last season’s deadline.
Where might Ryan Clifford fit on the field
New York Mets infielder Ryan Clifford (87) looks on during spring training on Feb. 17, 2026, at Clover Park.
When Clifford joined the Astros organization in 2022, he believed his future might be at first base with the club, but over time there was a more natural split between that spot and the outfield.
Over his minor league career, he has made 181 starts at first base and 180 between the two corner outfield spots.
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“I think our vision for him is to create as many viable paths to big league impact as possible from a defensive perspective, so corner outfield, first base,” said Andy Green, the Mets senior vice president of player development. “You ultimately never know what hole is going to open up and if we can get our best players capable of plugging more holes, that gives them the best chance of being impactful at the big league level sooner.”
Right now, both first base and right field are all more fluid than the other spots at the major league level. Benge could end up occupying right field, with four other suitors at the position, while Jorge Polanco, Mark Vientos and Brett Baty are all primed to see time at first base this spring.
What has Ryan Clifford done at the plate?
New York Mets infielder Ryan Clifford (87) poses for a photo during media day on Feb. 19, 2026, at Clover Park.
A season ago, Clifford crushed Double-A pitching at Binghamton.
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In 105 games, the North Carolina native slashed .243/.355/.493 with 24 home runs, 75 RBI, 56 runs but struck out 113 times. Green said that Clifford “hits the ball as hard as anyone in the minor leagues,” but the infielder knows he needs to cut down on strikeouts and increase contact.
Green wants to see him be more convicted on pitches in the strike zone.
“He has had moments where there’s been some opportunity to be more aggressive than he has been,” Green said. “I think often people think about swing decisions in a way of like, ‘Hey, lay off the bad pitches,’ swing decisions also entail turning loose on the good pitches. He’s got as much of that out in front of him.”
Clifford said that Triple-A pitching, which features a lot of veteran arms along with a mix of top young talent, showcases pitchability. He must stick to an approach against guys that are willing to throw any pitch in any count.
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He’s looking to improve upon his first Triple A stint where he batted .219 with a .754 OPS and five home runs and 18 RBI in 34 games.
“I think trying to find ways to continue and challenge more and more in practice and make practice harder and harder has helped me so far,” Clifford said. “Whether that’s increasing the velocity on the machines or working on spin more, whatever it might be, just new ways to challenge and make it tougher.”
What is he working on in the field?
New York Mets infielder Ryan Clifford (87) works during spring training on Feb. 13, 2026, at Clover Park.
The biggest area that Clifford has been working on defensively is his range heading into 2026.
Early in 2025, he spent more time at first base due to an arm injury but later in the season he was worked to cover more ground in the outfield.
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“I got with our group and was able to make an adjustment in my prep step or pre-pitch that helped me a lot,” Clifford said. “With our internal metrics that we look at with feet per second, made some big jumps there and was able to get some good number that I look to improve upon with as far as jumps go and getting to more balls in the corners.”
That will be a continued focus for Clifford this spring, along with his defense at first base.
“He’s put some real work into picking up a step or two,” Green said. “Everyone knows the faster you are, the easier outfield is. Speed is incredibly valuable. We take a lot of pride in trying to create as many versatile options as possible for our players. It’s just real work. It’s grinding every day.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: What Mets prospect Ryan Clifford is working on to inch toward MLB debut