Back in Binghamton again, he’s facing the likelihood that his fellow catcher will officially move ahead of him.
The Triple-A season kicked off over the weekend, with Double-A set to begin shortly after. Several notable Mets prospects remained in Triple-A, where they ended last season. However, one prominent name was sent back down to Double-A a level he likely believed he had already moved past.
After posting a .254/.326/.429 line and finishing strong with Binghamton, Kevin Parada earned a brief promotion for the final 16 games of 2025. But he struggled in Triple-A, hitting just .196/.281/.286 over 64 plate appearances. With a crowded catching depth chart that includes Hayden Senger, Ben Rortvedt, and Onix Vega (currently on the developmental list), Parada finds himself back in Double-A despite already playing 221 games at that level.
Climbing back up the ranks won’t be easy, especially with teammate Chris Suero close to overtaking him.
Suero is quickly emerging as the more intriguing prospect. While neither player stood out during spring training Parada went 1-for-8, Suero 1-for-5 with a home run Suero’s upside is far more compelling. He hasn’t yet reached his full potential.
Though not flawless, Suero makes hard contact consistently. He hit .233 last season but paired it with an impressive .379 on-base percentage, 16 home runs, and 35 stolen bases.
He also offers uncommon versatility for a catcher, having logged starts in left field and at first base. This flexibility gives the Mets more options if he continues to progress, potentially using him as a multi-position player and emergency catcher rather than locking him into a single role.
For now, Suero’s development at the plate remains key. Over the past two seasons, he’s shown a pattern: modest batting averages below .250, but strong on-base skills, improving power, and speed on the bases.
In terms of upside and excitement, Suero clearly stands out compared to Parada, who has struggled offensively and hasn’t impressed much defensively. What makes this contrast even more striking is their backgrounds Parada was the 11th overall draft pick, while Suero signed as an undrafted amateur free agent. Now, it appears Suero may soon pass him on the depth chart as well.
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