What to anticipate from Ronny Mauricio within the Majors

The Mets signaled they have been pivoting to 2024 and past with their blockbuster gross sales on the Trade Deadline. That theme will proceed in September, this time with an enormous addition.

New York is predicted to name up No. 91 total prospect Ronny Mauricio by Friday for his Major League debut, sources instructed MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo this week. The transfer corresponds with September roster growth to twenty-eight gamers, giving golf equipment a bit extra flexibility and Minor League skills a possibility to see The Show.

The switch-hitter heads to The Show after hitting .292/.346/.506 with 23 homers and 24 steals in 116 video games at Triple-A Syracuse. The 2023 season has seen a repeat 20-20 efficiency from Mauricio, and as of Thursday, he’s one in every of 14 Minor Leaguers to hit the 20 mark in each the HR and SB classes. He achieved this by being one in every of solely seven gamers aged 22 or youthful to satisfy the qualifying customary on the Minors’ high stage, and his 109 wRC+ was second-best amongst that group – one spot above fellow Top 100 prospect Masyn Winn (107) who was equally known as as much as St. Louis within the second half.

The uncooked energy, particularly, has by no means been doubtful for the Dominican Republic native.

Mauricio has strung collectively three straight 20-homer seasons following the missed pandemic 12 months, and solely Luke Ritter (27) has gone deep extra amongst Mets Minor Leaguers in 2023. Mauricio’s max exit velocity for Syracuse was 116.0 mph. No Major League Mets have reached that mark this season, with Pete Alonso main the best way at 115.7 mph. In reality, Mauricio has accounted for 10 of Syracuse’s high 12 exit velocities in 2023, starting from 113.3 to 116.0. His 43.2 p.c hard-hit charge (i.e. share of batted balls hit at 95-plus mph) would rank sixth amongst Mets Major League qualifiers, between Francisco Alvarez (44.2) and Alonso (42.1).

The pop has performed a bit higher from the left facet (.516 slugging share) than the precise (.473), however Mauricio has proven a capability to drive the ball no matter pitcher handedness.

The teenager’s energy would play even higher in video games if he had a greater method on the plate, one thing that’s been a continuing work in progress as he’s ascended towards Queens.

Mauricio has proven an unlucky willingness to increase the zone at instances, resulting in some concern that he’ll possess a below-average hit software on the high stage. Even whereas his strikeout charge has dropped to 18.2 p.c in 2023 (partly due to the ABS system in Triple-A), he has swung at pitches exterior the zone 36.2 p.c of the time at Triple-A, in accordance with information collected by BrooksBaseball.internet, and has significantly chased excessive pitches. The Major League common O-Swing% in 2023 is 28.7 p.c. His stroll charge was additionally 6.6 p.c, seventh-lowest amongst Triple-A qualifiers.

There had been optimistic tendencies of late within the self-discipline division with Mauricio strolling 11 instances in 115 plate appearances (9.6 p.c) throughout August. But even so, Major League pitching ought to present a harder check of Mauricio’s capacity to work a free go, and he’ll should preserve the aggression restricted to pitches he can drive if the bat goes to play rapidly on the high stage.

Defensively, the 6-foot-3 Mauricio was introduced up as a shortstop with many evaluators believing he’d have to maneuver off the place in time. That perception was solidified when the Mets acquired Francisco Lindor in 2021, however New York didn’t really give Mauricio publicity to different positions till this summer season. He noticed sporadic International League time at third base and left area, however the bulk of his seems got here at second, together with every of his last 13 begins for Syracuse.

Should he proceed to play the keystone — as can be anticipated as New York goals to maintain some continuity with such a budding younger star — Jeff McNeil would doubtless have to maneuver a nook outfield spot. It’s value noting Mets supervisor Buck Showalter has a historical past of easing in high prospects with enjoying time, however because the membership assesses its choices forward of the offseason, Mauricio ought to get loads of enjoying time now that he’s up, particularly to show him to top-level arms.

There is perhaps instances when Mauricio wows in Queens with loud contact and lengthy dingers. There is perhaps instances when he maddeningly expands the zone to his detriment. How many instances he dips into every bucket might give Mets evaluators a greater thought of his position sooner or later in Flushing.