Mets Unveil 2026 Player Development Team
The New York Mets have unveiled their comprehensive player development staff for the 2026 season, a team that includes several familiar faces returning to their respective roles. Among the returning skippers are Dick Scott, who will manage the Syracuse team, Luis Rivera, who will lead the St. Lucie squad, Lino Diaz, in charge of the FCL Mets, Felix Fermin, who will manage the DSL Mets Blue, and JC Rodriguez, who will oversee the DSL Mets Orange.
Michael Collins, an Australian-born coach, takes on a new challenge as the manager for Double-A Binghamton, replacing Reid Brignac, who has moved on to the Rays. Collins brings a wealth of experience, having spent eight seasons on the Astros' major league coaching staff and seven years managing in the Padres' minor league system. He will be joined by Jake Hager, a former Mets utility player, who will serve as the infield coach and assistant hitting coach in Binghamton. Mariano Duncan, another former Met, will act as Collins' bench coach, providing strategic support.
Eduardo Nuñez, a familiar name within the Mets organization, takes on a new role as the manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones, replacing Gilbert Gómez, who has been promoted to the role of first base coach. Nuñez, who spent 2025 as the Cyclones' bench coach, is entering his seventh year with the Mets and will continue to contribute to the team's development.
One of the more intriguing additions to the staff is Jimmy Nelson, a former big league pitcher, who will serve as a roving pitching coach for the Mets' Florida affiliates. Nelson, who played for the Brewers from 2013 to 2019, overlapping with David Stearns for five years, is making his first foray into affiliated coaching, having started his coaching career in 2025 with the Frederick Keys of the MLB Draft League.
This announcement marks an exciting development for the Mets organization, with a mix of experienced coaches and fresh talent, all working towards the goal of player development and the success of the team.
