Ryan Clifford - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Improving with glove in outfield Clifford is looking to build on the progress he made last season with his outfield defense, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Impact Specifically, the 22-year-old worked on improving his reads, jumps and first step. "We put a lot of thought into the prep step stuff, and the numbers backed up that I got better out there," Clifford said in camp this week. "I'm hoping to build on it this year as well... Just continue to try to become more explosive. I don't have the highest top speed, obviously, so the first couple steps are really important to me." Twenty of his 34 starts with Triple-A Syracuse last season came in an outfield corner, and with the Mets not yet settled on the identity of their starting right fielder, a strong showing by Clifford in spring training on both sides of the ball could give him another route to a big-league debut in 2026. His most likely future position for New York remains first base, however, and his bat could play in either spot after he slashing .237/.356/.470 with 29 homers in 139 games last year between Syracuse and Double-A Binghamton.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Potential Mets trade deals away Jonah Tong, Ryan Clifford for $6.5 million All-Star ace | Sporting News This would be a great trade for the Mets.

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Joining Triple-A Clifford was called up to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Joe DeMayo of SNYtv reports.

Impact Clifford will make the jump to Syracuse after compiling a .243 average with 24 home runs, 75 RBI, 56 runs scored and four stolen bases over 367 at-bats in 105 games with Double-A Binghamton this year. Fellow top prospects Jett Williams and Carson Benge were also promoted to Syracuse on Sunday.

AUGUST 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Goes yard twice at Double-A Clifford went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs for Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday.

Impact The 22-year-old leads all Double-A hitters with 23 long balls on the season, and Clifford has shown overall improvement in his second stint at the level, slashing .250/.363/.503 over 101 games with a 25.8 percent strikeout rate. He'll never be a threat to hit for a high average, but Clifford's power is legit, and he's in line to be the Mets' first baseman of the future if Pete Alonso departs in free agency this winter.

AUGUST 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Here's the Mets' Spring Breakout roster PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Last year during Spring Breakout, many fans took their first looks at Brandon Sproat, a promising young pitcher who’...

MARCH 6, 2025 • MLB.COM

Sent down to minor-league camp The Mets reassigned Clifford to minor-league camp Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Clifford spent most of last season at Double-A Binghamton, where he slashed .231/.359/.456 with 18 home runs and 58 RBI across 404 plate appearances. The Mets may send Clifford back to Double-A to begin the 2025 season, though he likely isn't too far away from a bump up to Triple-A Syracuse.

MARCH 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Power stands out at Double-A Clifford is slashing .231/.359/.456 with 18 home runs, a 15.6 percent walk rate and a 28.9 percent strikeout rate in 98 games for Double-A Binghamton.

Impact Power and patience are Clifford's top traits, but his lefty power was largely suppressed by the pitcher-friendly dimensions of the High-A Brooklyn park, as he managed just seven homers in 63 games with the Cyclones dating back to 2023. His pop has been on full display at Double-A however, as his .225 ISO is the third-highest mark among all qualified Double-A hitters. Clifford is the fifth-youngest qualified hitter at Double-A, and he projects to do enough damage to at least occupy the strong side of a first base or designated hitter platoon for the big club in a couple years.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Flipped to Mets Clifford was traded from the Astros to the Mets on Tuesday along with Drew Gilbert in exchange for Justin Verlander, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Impact The Mets landed quite the haul for Verlander, as Gilbert was the Astros' top prospect and Clifford is much more than a throw-in. Clifford is a bat-first prospect who has played first base, right field and left field while with High-A Asheville. The lefty hitter was given a $1.26 million bonus after Houston selected him in the 11th round of last year's draft. All told, he has slashed .288/.396/.516 with 18 home runs and a 24 percent strikeout rate in 371 plate appearances between Single-A and High-A.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quick bump to High-A Clifford was promoted from Single-A Fayetteville to High-A Asheville on Tuesday.

Impact He went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in his first game in the South Atlantic League. Clifford, who received $1.26 million (way over slot) after the Astros selected him in the 11th round of last year's draft, hit .337 with two home runs, three steals and a 27:25 K:BB in 25 games at Single-A before getting the promotion. A bat-first player, Clifford has seen time at first base, designated hitter, right field and left field. Asheville is an incredibly hitter-friendly home park, but Clifford is now one of the youngest players (turns 20 in July) at High-A, so a strong statistical showing at this level would still be impressive despite the advantageous offensive environment.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE