SPOTLIGHT ON METS' UBER PROSPECT
RONNY MAURICIO
Ronny Mauricio is ranked as the Mets' # 2 prospect.
RONNY MAURICIO
Ronny Mauricio is ranked as the Mets' # 2 prospect.
You could make a case that he should be # 1. Current # 1 prospect, 20 year old Andres Gimenez, has been a bit disappointing in AA so far this year.
Of course, if Jarred Kelenic were still here, he'd undoubtedly be # 1 right now - but he headed west, young man.
Mauricio is a very young, tall, and slender infielders and switch hitter from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic.
Having recently turned 18, he is listed at 6'3", 166. Kind of like Darryl Strawberry was at that age. I'd imagine he will eventually fill out to at least 195 pounds, like Darryl did.
Unlike Darryl, he has not yet shown much power, and he is not particularly fast - or, at least, is unsuccessful at stealing bases: Mauricio has stolen just 5 of 15 as a pro.
Mauricio has been a low power hitter this year, but is hitting a very consistent .282/.330/.359 over 48 games, hitting far better for average than most of his teammates.
In fact, his teammates, while much improved hitting-wise over roughly the past 15-20 games, are only hitting about .210 on the season - he lifts them to a still weak .217.
Fielding-wise, RoMo has 11 errors in 47 games at SS, and 27 in 100 career games, understandable for having just turned 18 in April. Happily, it seems that the error rate is decelerating.
In fact, his teammates, while much improved hitting-wise over roughly the past 15-20 games, are only hitting about .210 on the season - he lifts them to a still weak .217.
Fielding-wise, RoMo has 11 errors in 47 games at SS, and 27 in 100 career games, understandable for having just turned 18 in April. Happily, it seems that the error rate is decelerating.
I was thrilled to see that Mauricio jumped over Brooklyn's short season directly into full season ball, providing a greater challenge and a greater number of games to grow with - very good move, Mets.
There is a lot of 2019 full season baseball for Ronny to grow and progress in. It will be interesting to watch, and equally interesting to see what he is ready to bring to the table when 2020 rolls around. Hopefully, he will continue to play better and better throughout 2019 and get some games in later this season in High A ball with the St Lucie Mets.
The Mets have a logjam of solid infielders at levels above where they currently play (with the Fireflies), so it seems to me a promotion for at mid season might be justified but won't be an automatic.
I think he will be close to major league ready by the end of 2020, assuming he remains healthy from now until then.
Here is a guy we can expect will play for the Mets for many years, very possibly not as a SS. His talent will find him a position - and plenty of playing time. Hopefully, he is a future star in the making.
I think he will be close to major league ready by the end of 2020, assuming he remains healthy from now until then.
Here is a guy we can expect will play for the Mets for many years, very possibly not as a SS. His talent will find him a position - and plenty of playing time. Hopefully, he is a future star in the making.
11 comments:
At 18 Darryl hit 4 or 5 home runs in short season Kingsport. Having never seen Mauricio play my gut tells me he is much different kind of hitter than Darryl was.
More Darryl Boston than Darryl Strawberry
I obviously wasnt in the room, but if I was trading for Cano and Diaz I would have preferred to send Gimenez, because of how good Mauricio has looked. Just from a position stand point. Anyway, He's 18 and hitting 280 in full season ball that i special.
Tom -
First thing first... we really need to leave this whole Kelenic thing behind us. What's done is done.
Two, Mauricio is a true +++ prospect that is going to be a star in this game; however, I still think his body doesn't fit the SS position.
I would make him a CF but his lack of power might push him to 2B.
My 2022 lineup:
1B Alonso
2B Mauricio
SS Rosario or Gimenez
3B Vientos
C Mazeika
LF Smith
CF Brodey
RF Nimmo
Mack, no Conforto in 2022?
Robb, I agree - but Seattle is like a lot of teams that want talented POWER bats, which Kelenic looks like he will provide and Gimenez won't.
holmer, I think it is far too early to judge Mauricio's ultimate power upside - maybe he will put on 40-50 pounds and become a 25-30 homer guy. We can only hope.
Tom -
No on Conforto in 2022
Sell in rebuild for 2 Top 100 prospects or more
Kelenic is the next Kazmir, Mets fans will talk about him for decades. Tampa immediately promoted Kazmir and he delivered right away. Seattle is already talking about promoting Kelenic quickly and that he might be contributing in less than 2 years.
"With Jarred Kelenic, Mariners seeing what an elite prospect looks like"
https://sports.mynorthwest.com/650556/jarred-kelenic-mariners-elite-prospect/
Its funny Cano was projected to be a 3-5WAR this year and 1/3 through the season and he is at -0.1. Ouch. I just hope the Mets don't go all in with their sunk cost in him. He is actively hurting the team when better players lose their playing time to him. Having McNeil at 2nd would allow for more time for Dom or JD in the OF for example.
Mack,
I agree with you on the Kalenic talk. I thought it was a bad trade then and I still do but it's over and playing "what if" is a fruitless exercise.
Tom,
None of us has a crystal ball and we can only hope Mauricio fills out like Darryl and becomes a 30 homer guy. Even at 180 lbs Strawberry had broad shoulders that looked like his body was going to fill out-I really don't have a good feel for Mauricio's frame.
Homer -
Case in point...
Dom has filled out.
I love him but where's the 30 home runs?
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