The New York Mets have caused a stir with their 38th overall pick in the Draft: Mitch Voit, a talented two-way prospect from the University of Michigan. His selection has generated both excitement for his on-field ability and controversy due to a viral incident he was involved in earlier this year.
Voit, known for his quality and fitness, is not only a spark plug hitter, but also offers intriguing potential as a pitcher. During a standout game in March against USC, Voit hit a triple and, in a gesture that quickly went viral, pretended to snort cocaine from the third base chalk line. This act, although it generated excessive euphoria among Michigan fans during the 11-0 victory, was “somewhat rude” for those who did not follow the team closely.
After the incident, Voit issued a public apology, acknowledging the immaturity of his action. “I would like to apologize for my actions at third base yesterday. I made an immature decision in the heat of the moment,” Voit said in a statement. “The gesture I made does not reflect my character, the home I was raised in, or the block M that I represent in any way. I take full responsibility for what I did and truly regret negatively impacting everyone with this.”
A performance that caught everyone’s attention
Despite the controversy, Voit’s immense talent kept scouts on their toes. In that same game, Voit had a stellar performance, going 3-3 and driving in four runs. In his final collegiate season, he showed his power by hitting 14 home runs, recording 60 RBIs and boasting an impressive 1.140 OPS in 56 games.
In addition to his prowess at the plate, Voit is an attractive two-way prospect, as he also pitched before undergoing surgery on his right arm in July 2024. As a pitcher, the youngster posted a 4.67 ERA and 1.332 WHIP in 98.1 innings pitched.
The focus after the injury
Voit’s decision to focus entirely on hitting after his elbow surgery seems to have paid off, as his offensive numbers skyrocketed in his final season. The Mets see him as an explosive hitter with a remarkable ability to impact the ball, a compact swing and plate discipline that has improved considerably
In addition, Mets vice president of amateur scouting Kris Gross highlighted a key attribute: Voit describes himself as a “winner.” This combative mentality, combined with his physique and ability to run the bases, makes him a complete prospect with the potential to influence the game in a variety of ways.
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