3 New York Mets players the San Diego Padres should demand in a Juan Soto trade

3) New York Mets prospect Ryan Clifford

While Gilbert was the main piece of the trade New York made with Houston, Ryan Clifford was added for a reason. He was the Astros number two prospect at the time right behind Gilbert and is the Mets sixth-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

The 20-year-old might've been an 11th-round pick made by Houston in 2022, but he's developing into one of the game's best power-hitting prospects. He's made his way up from A to High-A this season, and has been great offensively.

Clifford has slashed .262/.374/.480 with 24 home runs and 81 RBI in 115 games. There're questions about his hit tool as he's fanned 140 times this season, but he takes his walks and of course, has monstrous power.

The young Mets prospect fits best at first base defensively but has the ability to play both corner outfield spots. He's further away than both Gilbert and Williams considering the fact that he hasn't even appeared in a Double-A game yet, but he'll be worth the wait.

Clifford probably isn't good enough to be a headliner in a deal that includes a player as gifted as Juan Soto (few are) but as a secondary piece, he would be one A.J. Preller absolutely should be demanding.