Mets prospect Jacob Reimer keeping focus 'where my feet are' as he waits for MLB opportunity
Jacob Reimer at Mets photo day during spring training on Feb. 19, 2026. the New York Mets baseball team. Credit: AP/Jeff Roberson
Jacob Reimer’s focus is on staying present.
Sure, that isn’t the easiest thing to do, especially when making the big leagues is a realistic goal. But for the 22-year-old third baseman — the Mets’ No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline — it has become a necessary mindset.
Reimer’s numbers from the first half of the season surely weren’t what he wanted — he had a .212/.332/.391 slash line in his first 50 games with Double-A Binghamton — and neither was the groin injury that sent him to the injured list on June 18.
But while Mets fans familiarize themselves with their prospect haul from last week’s trade deadline, they shouldn’t forget about Reimer. The corner infielder returned from IL rehab games in the lower minors to Binghamton on Tuesday with clear lessons about adversity and failure, along with a hunger to finish this season strong.
“I’d say none of it came from ability,” Reimer said, referring to his early struggles, in a phone interview with Newsday on Thursday. “None of it came from getting beat. I think it was really just not being where my feet are, looking at the future or just not worrying about the game at hand. More worried about getting to the next level, getting to the big leagues, etc.
“After I got through how to deal with that, it’s been awesome. So staying where my feet are and the game at hand, not worrying too much about the future.”
In addition to the groin injury he suffered on June 17 when he awkwardly touched first base on a single, Reimer had a hip injury that he had been dealing with all season. He said now is the “best my body’s felt this year, so excited about that.”
Does his return come with something to prove?
“Absolutely,” he said. “I feel like there’s definitely a chip on the shoulder. I’ve been pretty, I wouldn’t say [ticked] off at anyone, but definitely [ticked] off . . . I know I’m better than this. So just really have a chip on my shoulder to go out there and prove it day-in and day-out and just go beat those pitchers.”
Reimer had an excellent 2025 season with Binghamton and High-A Brooklyn, recording a .282/.379/.491 slash line with 17 homers, 77 RBIs, 32 doubles, five triples and 15 stolen bases in 122 games (61 at each level). He also produced in big-league spring training this year, batting .263 (5-for-19) with three doubles and an .861 OPS in 13 games.
He’s “super-tight” with Mets rookie outfielders A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge, his former minor-league teammates, who are obvious bright spots in an otherwise bleak season. He said seeing them “prosper in the big leagues is awesome, and super-proud and happy for them.”
Their production in the big leagues further validates Reimer’s belief in the Mets’ player development system, which he said he trusts “with my life and my career.”
He specifically named Mets director of major-league hitting Jeff Albert, Single-A St. Lucie hitting coach Bryan Muniz and Triple-A Syracuse hitting coach Nate Irving as the people in the organization who have helped him the most.
The Mets drafted Reimer out of California’s Yucaipa High School in the fourth round (119th overall) in 2022. In the four years since he’s been drafted, he has seen obvious growth points in his game.
“I’d say defensively this year has been my biggest step forward, and I’ve been super-proud of that,” he said. “On the flip side, on the hitting side, I think my mechanics have certainly gotten better here in pro ball as well. I think my approach, I think it goes for everyone, has become more professional as I’ve gone on, too, looking to do damage instead of just touch the ball. I let my hit tool play, and it’s been great.”
MLB Pipeline ranks Reimer, who also has 36 minor-league starts at first base, as the seventh-best third-base prospect in baseball. Their scouting report reads: “While he’s grown some [at third base] with the arm strength for the spot, he needs to work on the accuracy of his throws to become reliable there. He’s certainly back on the Mets’ infield radar, and the bat, with its current projection, would paper over the defensive deficiencies wherever he lands.”
Reimer noted that whenever things aren’t going well at the plate, it’s because he’s worried about “individual stuff.” When he’s at his best, he’s solely focused on helping the team win.
His best, he believes, is as good as it gets.
“I know when I compete at the best of my ability, I’m the best one on the field,” he said. “So I believe that, and it’s something to go with the rest of the year.”
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
