The Mets’ 2026 draftees made a big first impression in their debuts. Third-rounder Aiden Robbins, 9th-rounder Ryan Tayman, 19th-rounder John Smith III, and 20th-rounder Kooper Schulte combined to go 9-for-19 with three homers, two doubles and 7 RBIs in St. Lucie's 14-6 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays. They also became four of only seven 2026 draftees to make their professional debut.
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
Aiden Robbins, CF (3rd Round - Texas) – 2-for-6, 2 RBI, 2B
Batting fourth in his debut, Robbins picked up his first two hits with an RBI double in the third inning and an RBI single in the eighth inning. After spending his first two years at Seton Hall, Robbins transferred to the University of Texas for his junior season. Robbins hit .333/.426/.696 with a 1.122 OPS, while also quadrupling his previous season high in home runs with 24 blasts. Robbins was drafted in the third round with the 92nd pick in the 2026 draft, and was the 29th-ranked Draft prospect in MLB’s prospect rankings.
Ryan Tayman, C (9th Round - Cal Poly) – 4-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2B
Batting seventh, Tayman immediately made his presence known in his professional debut, hitting a two-run home run in his first professional at-bat, giving St. Lucie a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Tayman finished the game with a similar impact to how he started, hitting a double in the ninth inning, giving himself a four-hit game in his debut. After spending his first two years at the University of California, Tayman didn’t have to go far as he transferred to Cal Poly University for his junior season. In his lone year at Cal Poly, he was named co-Big West Player of the Year after hitting .357/.447/.672 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs before being drafted with the 270th pick in the ninth round by the Mets.
John Smith III, OF (19th Round - UCF) – 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 HR
Batting sixth in his debut, Smith III showed off his power, hitting his first and second professional home runs. After popping out and grounding out in his first two at-bats, Smith homered in the top of the fifth inning for his first ever professional hit. He added his second home run in the top of the ninth to make it a multi-homer night. After going to Pensacola State for his freshman and sophomore years, and South Alabama for his junior season, Smith transferred to the University of Central Florida for his senior year of college. Smith made Second Team All-Big 12 after hitting .322/.383/.574 with 12 home runs before the Mets drafted him in the 19th round with the 570th pick.
Kooper Schulte, INF (20th Round - Iowa) – 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, HBP
Schulte batted out of the nine-hole in his debut, scoring twice and reaching base three times. After being hit by a pitch in the second inning and walking in the fourth inning, Schulte singled in the eighth to pick up his first professional hit. After two years of community college, Schulte transferred to the University of Iowa for his junior year in 2025. In his senior year, Schulte batted .274/.355/.484 and was drafted by the Mets in the 20th round with the 600th pick.