We like to talk up our Mets prospects, and hope they fit the bill.
At least I do.
But in doing so, one cannot cast objectivity aside.
John From Albany pointed out on Sunday that Ronny Mauricio made his 9th error in winter ball.
As best as I can tell, he did that in 10 games in the field at SS.
That is disturbing and disappointing.
During the season, in 2021, he made 22 errors at AA in 95 games at SS.
Which is regression. He made 23 errors in 106 games at SS in his prior season in 2019.
For 2021, both winter and regular, he has 31 errors in 105 games through Saturday. Wow, that's a lot.
70 in 265 pro games. You expect young guys to make a lot of errors at SS, and then decline in that regard.
But he is not declining in errors.
Let's compare to a bunch of Mets' shortstops.
Compare to Jose Reyes in the minors: 63 errors in 345 games - much better.
Compare to Rey Ordonez in the minors - 45 errors in 260 games - much better.
Compare to Wilmer Flores - 118 errors at SS in, amazingly, 690 pro games (most in the minors at a young age) at that position, a much better error rate than Mauricio.
Compare to bust Gavin Cecchini - Cheech made 111 errors in 507 games at SS. Bad, but Ronny's even worse, at least so far.
Compare to recently departed Andres Gimenez - a far better 51 errors in 400 minor league games at SS.
Compare to Amed Rosario - 92 errors in 429 games in the minors at SS. A lot also, but a better rate than Ronny. Amed, to his credit, has fielded much better at SS in the big leagues, with just 51 errors on 508 games. Might Mauricio shed errors like Rosario did as he proceeds?
Compare to current Mets SS Francisco Lindor - he has made 67 major league errors, but in 887 games, so Mauricio's rate of errors is nearly 4 times the level of Lindor. Of course, as a major leaguer, but part of what got him to the majors so fast was his low error rate, even at age 21. Despite his weak hitting debut with the Mets, his glove was stellar in 2021.
Compare to Mark Vientos - 4 SS errors in 23 games. They figured that one out, and ended that experiment, quickly.
Compare to the great Danny Muno - 29 errors at SS in 126 games. Clearly not his best position, but his error rate? Better than Mauricio's in 2021.
Yet, some tout Mauricio's SS fielding and throwing skills and his ability to stay at SS.
I find that increasingly puzzling.
Juan Lagares was one guy who was even worse at SS in the minors, making 69 errors in 192 SS games, albeit at a very young age.
He (very) successfully switched to the outfield.
Perhaps Mauricio should, too. Or to 2B.
Leaving him at shortstop, to me, seems like, well, an error.
Bring up the subject, and the front office might get defensive.
Lastly, before I go, what is a fielder's least favorite movie?
FLUBBER, IN WHICH THE GREAT ROBIN WILLIAMS STARRED.
24 comments:
His error rate is alarming, but I thinks it's too soon to worry. He has such great tools, tools that needed polishing at whatever position he plays which won't be much SS as a Met.
Also, keep in mind he's playing at least some 3rd base in winter ball. That's new to him. That would explain some or all of those 9 winter ball errors.
I would be interested to see if they are fielding errors or throwing errors.......neither are good, but if it is a throwing issue, that could be alleviated with a move to second base (shorter throw).
Plus, as the last commenter stated, he isn't going to be a SS for the Mets with Lindor on the team.
I think the time is NOW to move Mauricio to his future position (hopefully 2B), so he can learn the nuances of the position, etc. HIs bat will be worth it down the road, IMO.
If he stay primarily at SS, then I would suspect he is being prepared as a future trade asset, which would be a mistake.
Tom Brenyen:
I usually agree with most of the things that you say in your "Mack's Mets" journalistic exploits regarding our beloved NY Mets. But Gavin Cecchini as a complete bust? Are you kidding me sir? I'll have you know that in 2016 Gavin Cecchini batted .333 and had a an On Base Percentage of .429. Look it up buddy.
Signed,
G. Cecchini, Sr.
G Cecchini Sr, thank you for your pushback. No intention to offend. I seem to have, and offer my apologies.
When I use that sort of terminology, bust or not, it is always relative to where a guy was drafted.
And it is not a player's fault which round he gets drafted in. I'm sure Gavin was thrilled to be picked where he was, as I am sure you were.
Let me rephrase it - he was less successful than I expected, given where he was drafted.
Gavin was drafted, off the top of my head, 12th overall. Very high expectations. The Mets got Harvey, Nimmo, and Conforto around that same slot in other years.
I always thought your son was drafted a round or two too early. In those rounds, you expect some draftees to make it, some to not, as Gavin has (at least so far). Drafting is difficult, and how a player develops, including thru injuries, is always a crap shoot in baseball.
I was actually excited that year you reference - I thought he was really breaking thru offensively like Brandon Nimmo was. When that didn't continue, I for one was quite disappointed.
I thought a change of organization might do the trick for him, as it has for Flexen and Sewald, to name two.
I'd be happy if you shared with us your thoughts on what stymied him, and if Gavin still has his sights on reaching the big leagues. Thanks for your input, sir.
Mike, I am not watching him field, but Mauricio's error rate is high and not improving. I don't know why, but I am concerned. Maybe they see him eventually at 2nd or 3rd, and think continuing to challenge him at SS will increase his dexterity and quickness, so when (if) he does eventually slide over to 2nd or 3rd, it seems easy.
Long Time, if I am Ronny Mo, I have to realize my fielding is holding me back, besides hitting development.
I think he is exhibiting surprisingly fine power. His hit tool otherwise still needs development.
Gimenez got called up quickly in part because of his excellent fielding. Mauricio needs to turns his defense into a plus.
Hey G
Sorry bout that.
How are you and the kids doing?
It does t matter.Lindor is the SS, Mauricio will play LF or 3B . He’s a hitter,they’ll find a spot for him and since he started out as a SS chances are good he’ll be above average at either position.x
Considering the fact that his error ratio remains high and they haven't moved him off short, could be being groomed for future DH
The story of Ronny Mauricio will unfold - all up to Ronny how. Likely not at SS unless Lindor were to get hurt for a while. It wold be good if he could improve and hold it down if that happens.
Always thought Mauricio would be the one shifted to the OF when they had Rosario & Gimenez. Still true with Lindor (& Beaz?).. Drafting/signing SS's that can hit always works--figure out where they'll eventually play later.
Let's just concentrate on Ronny's bat.
Hobie, good day, sir. Yes, his bat is developing. In two seasons, say by mid-2023, it could be pretty lethal.
If his power continues evolving and he is more of a fielding risk than throwing risk, then 3B which requires less lateral movement might be his calling if not a change to the outfield.
Juan Lagares II. He has speed, athleticism and arm to play CF. Can he track fly balls and learn angles to run on and then catch the ball? i dont know, but he has alot of the physical tools and the Mets could use a CF. He is not going to play SS for the Mets and likely not 3B (Baty or Vientos) or 2B (I think they sign Baez
Mauricio will be playing 2B. Hopefully there he will do much better. Still a couple of years to go.
On Ronnie Mauricio
To me, it's still too early to tell what type of a fielder/batter/ and overall player Ronnie will grow into.
This is MLB. If you hit well, you play. That simple.
In a worse case scenario, Ronnie could possibly learn a corner outfield position, if he has to.
Ronnie has a ton of batting ability and will only get bigger and stronger from here. He has already begun to prove himself.
"If you hit well, you play."
https://www.sny.tv/articles/sources-mets-gm-hire-billy-eppler-strong-candidate
Thank God! Someone who has a clue, no newbies!
The idea of trades.
For both Dominic Smith and JD Davis is a bad one. The reasons are simple really. Dominic had an off season in 2021. True. But he is just 26 years old and can by definition play two positions, first and left field.
Now, you have to think at least one step ahead when formulating your team's roster. The "what if" here is simply if Pete Alonso gets hurt and is IR for a long spell. This is where baseball and its long schedule can come into play. You have to have a plan and a contingency plan designed for such things. In this case Dominic would be starting on first base for Pete until Pete is ready to return.
The other reason that I don't trade Dominic is because we have seen him be very good as well, both playing first base and batting. he has power game and has hit for average here.
The final reason is because Dominic is not yet a big contract player and keeping him even for the bench beginning 2022 makes good sense.
JD Davis
The boo-birds showed up on this guy with the three errors in one game. Look, JD Davis hit .285 BA in 2021 and with a busted up hand. He and Nimmo had good batting seasons and that's about it really. JD Davis can play third and left, and he has power game batting when healthy. He made just a little over $2.0 million in 2021 on a one year. In my batting lineup, I'd have JD hitting third behind Nimmo and (hopefully) Marte, with Alonso behind JD in the fourth slot.
I trade neither. Dominic for the bench and JD starting in left field. Dominic is your insurance for first and left and sees playing time.
The TWO big moves to make here.
Regardless of cost.
(1) Starlin Marte (OF) Reason: The Mets have no one like this guy (other than Nimmo leading off) who can bat in the two slot, get on base at a high rate, and steal bases galore. No one else anywhere.
(2) Carlos Rodon (LSP) Reason: He's only 28 and made $3.0 million for the CWS starting. He had a 13/5 won lost in 2021, a 2.37 ERA, and a Jake type WHIP under 1.00.
After these two signings, the rest of the roster rebuild for 2021 should all be trades only. Could use maybe another late inning reliever to take over for Jeurys. You go this way.
It would be interesting to see if Mauricio can play centerfield. Unless they haven't ruled out trading him, I don't see much sense in having him continue playing shortstop, particularly with his fielding issues.
I project Mauricio as a future OF.
Anon . . great comment on Dom. My thoughts exactly. There are a lot of reasons to keep him. He has also been a very productive pinch hitter.
Check back for a related article tomorrow morning.
To me, whichever of Baty, Vientos, and Mauricio would be best at 3B, put him there. Then the other two spill over to the outfield and 2B. Mauricio can be the back up shortstop as well, on days he's needed there.
Best Mets fielding 3rd baseman - Jose Peroza, then Baty. Mauricio has shown that he can run a long way to track pop flys - has a good arm - put him in RF
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