Meet the New New York Met: INF/OF Kyren Paris

On October 29, 2026 the New York Mets claimed Kyren Paris off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  After signing him to a major league contract, they designated him for assignment in an effort to option him to AAA.

Drafted in 2019 as an infielder in the 2nd Round, Kyren can play all three outfield positions plus 2B, SS and 3B.  While he has hit in AAA, he has not hit in the majors with the exception of the start of 2025.

In 2025, in his first 11 games Paris hit 5 homers, with 11 hits, 4 stolen bases and a .440 average - something no player had ever done before to start a season.  After that, the league studied up on him and his batting average feel to .190 before he was sent down to AAA on 5/26/25.  

Then last year, 2026, he had one of his best offensive seasons in AAA where he posted a .981 OPS with 13 homers, 50 RBIs while slashing .307/.427/.554.  That earned him a spot on the Pacific Coast League end of year All-Star team as the PCL’s best utility player.

It is very possible that the Mets will soon DFA again with the hopes that he clears waivers and is able to be put on the AAA roster.  If still with the team, come Spring Training (if there is one in 2027), he could be given a chance at making the big league club as a key bench piece.

But as Baseball America makes the case below.  He will need to make more contact.  His MLB K% is 38.7% and 30.24% in 7 seasons in the minors.  

From Baseball America in the Spring of 2025: 

"Paris is an athletic, versatile infielder who shows power, speed and defensive tools...Paris is a plus runner and aggressive on the bases, where he’s a constant threat to steal. His footwork and arm have improved enough to make him a versatile middle infield defender, and his athleticism earned him reps in center field as well. He’s praised internally for his makeup and tough mentality...Paris’ contact skills will dictate whether he can be more than a versatile bench piece with sneaky pop...Scouting Grades: Hit: 30 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50."

From MLB.com's 2025 scouting report: 

"Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45...Paris, the Angels’ second-round pick in 2019, missed a lot of development time right out of the gate with a broken hamate ending his summer debut after three games, the pandemic in '20 and a broken tibia in '21. Since then, he’s built a bit of a reputation as a slow starter. "

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