Syracuse Mets Unveil 2026 Coaching Staff with Dick Scott Returning

Dick Scott will lead the Syracuse Mets for a fourth season after the organization finalized its 2026 coaching and player-development staff. Scott’s return, coming off MiLB’s Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award for Player Development in 2025, signals continuity at the top of the Triple-A chain as the Mets system prepares a new wave of major league hopefuls.

Continuity is the headline in pitching and development staffing. A.J. Sager returns as Syracuse pitching coach for his second season with the club and fourth season in the New York Mets organization. He is joined by Troy Miller, promoted from Single-A St. Lucie to serve as assistant pitching coach. That internal promotion path keeps the same teaching language across levels and should ease transitions for arms moving up from the low minors to Triple-A workloads.

On the offensive side, Nate Irving is advancing from Double-A Binghamton to take over as hitting coach. The move brings a familiar approach to a lineup expected to feature top prospects and shuttle players who need consistent mechanical adjustments and advanced scouting preparations. Former big-leaguer John Nogowski enters professional coaching as bench coach and assistant hitting coach, his first role in player development after a playing career that included major league experience. Nogowski’s presence adds recent big-league perspective and a clubhouse voice attuned to the grind between levels.

Support staff additions round out a modern, player-focused operation. Head athletic trainer Austin Dayton returns, joined by new assistant athletic trainer Joshua Jackson. Drew Skrocki remains as strength and conditioning coach, with Max Aronwold joining as an assistant. The club also added Pedro John as Baseball Technology and Video Associate, reflecting the continued emphasis on video analytics and tech-enabled player development at the Triple-A level.

The team announced season-ticket details and the schedule framework as part of the staffing release. Syracuse will open the season on the road on March 27 and host its home opener March 31 against Toledo, setting the stage for fans to see how the revamped staff integrates with a prospect-laden roster.

Business and community implications are clear. Retaining Scott and promoting from within cultivates a recognizable brand of coaching that supports organizational stability and fan engagement. Investing in technology and video infrastructure signals the Mets’ ongoing commitment to analytics in player development, a selling point for season-ticket holders who follow prospects closely. Former players like Nogowski moving into coaching roles underscore Triple-A’s role as both a development pipeline for players and a career pipeline for baseball professionals.

For supporters tracking top Mets prospects, the new staff offers a mix of proven player-development credentials and fresh voices. As spring training approaches and the March openers near, the Syracuse Mets will be judged not just by wins but by how effectively this staff advances talent to Queens.