Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Ryan Clifford earned a seven-figure bonus out of Pro5 Academy (Apex, N.C.) in 2022 and has since played his way onto MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list as a member of the Mets' organization. But at the time he was drafted, there were some evaluators who thought another outfielder on the same club was a superior talent. Serrano opted to attend North Carolina State, where he has impressed with his bat-to-ball skills, yet disappointed with his power. He helped the Wolfpack reach the College World Series as a Draft-eligible sophomore this year but hit just .289 with 14 homers in two seasons.

Serrano has a smooth, easy left-handed swing and a lanky 6-foot-5 frame that provides leverage. He makes consistent contact with ease despite his long limbs and can crush some balls in batting practice, but he doesn't drive the ball in games and is feeble against southpaws. He projected as a 25-30 home run threat in high school but hasn't grown into the bat speed or strength that scouts expected.

Though he's a fringy runner out of the batter's box, Serrano moves well once he gets going. After playing first base as a freshman, he played a credible center field with average-to-solid arm strength this spring. He has good instincts in center, but he's probably destined for an outfield corner as a pro.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Serrano was a high school teammate of fellow Mets prospect Ryan Clifford at Pro5 Baseball Academy in Apex, N.C., and while he impressed some scouts there, he chose to attend NC State for two years. He was a solid-if-unspectacular performer with the Wolfpack, hitting .288 with 16 homers and an .832 OPS over 114 games on campus. New York selected him as a Draft-eligible sophomore in the fourth round in 2024, signing him for a little above slot at $697,500. Serrano played exclusively for Single-A St. Lucie in his first taste of the pros and finished with a 122 wRC+ in a 17-game sample.

The 6-foot-5 slugger has an easy swing from the left-handed side and keeps things relatively uncomplicated with a simple load and smooth bat path. He rarely expands the zone and showed an aptitude for hunting fastballs in college, a trait that will be tested against more advanced velocity in the pros. Because of Serrano's size, scouts expected more out of his power in school, but he seemed to trade pop for contact. He could show solid BP slugging ability, however, and his upper-level exit velocities were above average for the Florida State League -- a sign that the Mets may have found something to work with.

Serrano is a better runner underway than he is shooting out of the box because of his long limbs, but he used his solid speed to some effect with a move to center field as an NC State sophomore. The Mets moved him more to right field in the FSL, and most evaluators believe he's headed long term to a corner, where the need for power only increases.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Serrano was a high school teammate of fellow Mets prospect Ryan Clifford at Pro5 Baseball Academy in Apex, N.C., and while he impressed some scouts there, he chose to attend NC State for two years. He was a solid, if unspectacular, performer with the Wolfpack, hitting .288 with 16 homers and an .832 OPS over 114 games on campus, and New York selected him as a Draft-eligible sophomore in the fourth round in 2024, signing him for a little above slot at $697,500. Serrano played exclusively for Single-A St. Lucie in his first taste of the pros and finished with a 122 wRC+ in a 17-game sample.

The 6-foot-5 slugger has an easy swing from the left-handed side and keeps things relatively uncomplicated with a simple load and smooth bat path. He rarely expands the zone and showed an aptitude for hunting fastballs in college, a trait that will be tested against more advanced velocity in the pros. Because of Serrano's size, scouts expected more out of his power in school, but he seemed to trade pop for contact. He could show solid BP slugging ability, however, and his upper-level exit velocities were above-average for the Florida State League -- a sign that the Mets may have found something to work with.

Serrano is a better runner underway than he is out shooting out of the box because of his long limbs, but he used his solid speed to some effect with a move to center field as an NC State sophomore. The Mets moved him more to right field in the FSL, and most evaluators believe he's headed long-term to a corner, where the need for power only increases.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40 

Pro5 Academy (Apex, N.C.) features not one but two outfielders with the offensive potential to fit in the top three rounds. The consensus among scouts is that Ryan Clifford is more prepared to hit in pro ball right now, but Serrano may have more long-term all-around upside. The latter missed six weeks this spring with a shoulder injury and it's unclear if he'll get taken high enough to divert him from his North Carolina State commitment. 

Multiple evaluators say when Serrano is on a roll, it's possible to look at his 6-foot-6 frame and his left-handed swing and dream of Christian Yelich. With his leverage and projectable bat speed and strength, he could produce 25-30 home runs on an annual basis. His stroke is naturally long and he comes with some swing-and-miss concerns, so scouts believe he'd be better off honing his hitting ability in college before turning pro. 

Serrano moves well for his size and should be able to maintain average speed as he fills out. With his power potential and solid arm strength, he fits the classic right-field profile. He'll be Draft-eligible again as a 21-year-old sophomore in 2024 if he does attend college. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/06/2025	activated RF Eli Serrano III.
	03/03/2025	RF Eli Serrano III assigned to New York Mets.
	08/13/2024	OF Eli Serrano III assigned to St. Lucie Mets.
	07/22/2024	New York Mets signed OF Eli Serrano III.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated OF Eli Serrano III.
	04/02/2024	OF Eli Serrano III assigned to Harwich Mariners.
	03/03/2024	OF Eli Serrano III assigned to North Carolina State Wolfpack.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated OF Eli Serrano III.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated OF Eli Serrano III.
	03/27/2023	OF Eli Serrano III assigned to North Carolina State Wolfpack.
	06/11/2022	College Workout activated OF Eli Serrano.
	06/11/2022	OF Eli Serrano assigned to College Workout.
	05/25/2022	OF Eli Serrano and assigned to High School Workout.
	08/18/2021	OF Eli Serrano and assigned to PG East.
	07/13/2021	PG National 6 - Navy activated OF Eli Serrano.