By Sunday 
The Mets are handing the ball to a fresh face this Sunday in St. Louis — and it’s one fans have been waiting to see. Right-handed pitching prospect Blade Tidwell is getting the call-up to the big leagues, and he’s set to make his MLB debut in the series finale against the Cardinals.
From Tennessee to the Big Apple
Tidwell, 23, was taken by the Mets in the second round of the 2022 draft after an electric run at the University of Tennessee. Since then, he’s been steadily climbing through the minor league system, and now he’s officially in the show.
Ranked as one of the Mets’ top-15 prospects by both MLB.com and Baseball America, the 6’4” righty brings a power profile to the mound. His 2025 Triple-A stats may look shaky on the surface — 5.00 ERA — but a deeper dive tells a more promising story.
Don’t Let the ERA Fool You
Despite the inflated ERA, Tidwell has been flashing big-league stuff this year. He’s striking out over 31% of batters, keeping walks to a manageable 8.5%, and limiting home runs (just 0.67 per nine innings). His fastball is popping at 96 mph, up nearly two ticks from last season, and his swinging-strike rate has jumped to an impressive 14.5%.
Analysts see the potential. Fielding-independent metrics like FIP (3.17) and xFIP (3.79) suggest he’s actually been pitching far better than his ERA would indicate — his struggles largely come down to a brutal .369 BABIP, which often signals a bit of bad luck.
A Second-Chance Success Story?
Tidwell’s path hasn’t been linear. He tore through the lower minors before hitting a speed bump in Double-A in 2023. But to his credit, he rebounded strong in 2024 and earned his Triple-A shot. This year marks his second full run at that level, and it’s clear he’s made significant progress — just like he did last time.
A One-Off Shot — For Now
With starters Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, and Paul Blackburn all on the shelf, the Mets are turning to Tidwell for what might be a temporary assignment. The current five-man rotation of Holmes, Senga, Peterson, Megill, and Canning has been dominant — each carrying an ERA of 3.06 or lower, and together leading MLB with a stunning 2.24 ERA.
That kind of elite performance means Tidwell’s stay could be brief. But it’s still a golden opportunity for the hard-throwing righty to showcase his talent, even if it’s just for a day.
Roster Moves Incoming
The Mets will have to make space for Tidwell on both the 26-man and 40-man rosters. With Jose Siri (fractured leg) and Danny Young (elbow sprain) both eligible for the 60-day IL, there’s some flexibility — no need to DFA anyone just yet.
Final Word
Blade Tidwell’s debut might be a short-term fix, but it’s a milestone moment for the Mets’ pitching pipeline. With his stuff trending up and the rotation already shining, the Mets are in a sweet spot: talented youth knocking at the door, and a dominant staff holding it down.
Let’s see what the kid’s got.