Mets Prospect Brandon Sproat Gains Wisdom from Dwight Gooden Encounter

The New York Mets have turned their spring training camp into a hub of nostalgia and mentorship this season, welcoming a stellar lineup of guest instructors. The parade of legends began last week with Johan Santana gracing Port St. Lucie, followed by Carlos Beltran and John Franco lending their expertise this week. On Thursday, the atmosphere at Clover Park buzzed with excitement as former Mets ace Dwight Gooden joined the ranks, observing batting practice and defensive drills from the dugout. While these visits often carry a ceremonial flair, they also offer a rare chance for today’s players to tap into the wisdom of franchise icons, bridging the past and present of Mets baseball.
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For top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat, this opportunity became a defining moment as he connected with Gooden just a day before his Grapefruit League debut. The 22-year-old right-hander, who rocketed through the minors last season, described the encounter as “incredible” in an interview with MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo on MLB Tonight. Having dominated in Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton with a 2.45 ERA, Sproat faced a reality check in Triple-A, where his ERA ballooned to 7.85 over seven starts. His conversation with Gooden zeroed in on this struggle, with the legend offering insights that resonated deeply. “He told me to trust my stuff and be the aggressor,” Sproat shared, vowing to carry Gooden’s advice forward as he eyes a big-league future now tantalizingly within reach.