ANGRY MIKE: PROSPECT REPORT: NICK MORABITO

 ANGRY MIKE 

Nick Morabito is a member of the stellar 2022 Draft class, a second round pick out of High School, Morabito to established himself as more of a complete hitter in 2025. I don’t care about his home run total, as much as I do about the fact Mets’ brass had him hitting third, and he’s a big reason why others in that lineup hitting before him and after him had career seasons. Morabito had solid RISP numbers and had a knack for being clutch, coming up with a big hit that helped put wins on the board pretty much all season. 

Morabito is one of my favorite prospects in the Mets system, he represents the type of player the Mets need and currently don’t have enough of. 

A. High-energy, hard-nosed grinder -> energizes teammates & fans.

B. Arguably one of the fastest players in MiLB, not just in the organization.

C. He’s got all 5 tools, but has currently only tapped into 4 of them.

D. OBP machine -> sprays hits all over the field & elite BB-rate

Morabito came up just short of his second consecutive 50 SB season, but he’s average 50+ SB over the last two seasons, only Jett Williams and Luisangel Acuna represent a greater SB threat. It’s pretty much automatic that if he’s on first base and his team needs him on 2nd, he’ll make it happen whether the defense expects him to run or not. That’s why he reminds me more of Acuna than he does Tyrone Taylor. Tyrone Taylor is an incredible athlete and one of the fastest players in the organization, but he doesn’t have the same level of confidence stealing bases as an Acuna or Morabito. It’s a rare talent and one that can always be useful late in games as we have seen when Acuna is inserted late into games on numerous occasions. 

Morabito has two things he has to develop if he wants to assert himself as a full-time player, he’s got to improve his numbers against left-handed pitchers and he has to find a way to translate his raw power into game power. He’s far too talented to waste away as reserve player, some components of his game are flat out electric, and his defensive versatility makes him in asset in the outfield.

Morabito absolutely rakes against RHP -> career MiLB numbers are quite impressive:

Career versus RHP: 893  AB  |  1,008  PA

| 9 HR | 10 3B | 44 2B | 115 BB | 0.318 BA | 0.396  OBP | 0.816  OPS |

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: 

->  R.I.S.P.  STATS:

| 1  HR | 1  3B | 10  2B | 50  RBI | 0.288 BA | 0.383  OBP | 0.791 OPS |

->  Excelled hitting out of the 2-Spot:

| 2 HR | 1 3B | 19 2B | 34  RBI | 0.298 BA | 0.364 OBP | 0.773 OPS |

->  Mr. Clutch - Excellent Stats with 2-Outs:

| 3 HR | 1 3B | 10 2B | 24 RBI | 0.288 BA | 0.369 OBP | 0.816  OPS |

33 Multi-hit games 

52 games -> on-base multiple times 

0.295 BA or better -> 3 Months 

0.384 OBP or better -> 3 Months 

->  May & June were his best months:

May ->.  | 1 HR | 8 2B | 12 SB| 11  RBI  | 14  R |  0.326 BA  |

| 0.384  OBP  |  0.833 OPS |

June ->   |  10  2B  |  12  SB  |  19  RBI  |  17  R  |  0.322 BA  |

|  0.413  OBP  |  0.846 OPS |

23%  K-Rate is respectable considering the Eastern League is loaded with premium pitching 

10%  BB-Rate is also above average -> MLB Avg. is 8%

49  Stolen bases -> 81% success rate 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Morabito had an excellent showing in the Arizona Fall League, making hard contact, stealing bases at will, and playing excellent defense, prompting Stearns to add him to the 40-man roster, so that he was protected from the upcoming Rule-V Draft. He also locked down a roster spot on loaded Syracuse roster for the 2026 season. Depending on what the Mets want to do with Jett Williams and Carson Benge, will dictate where he plays defensively. If the Mets want to get Benge ready for playing CF in Queens, we’ll probably see Morabito in LF. If the Mets want to get JETT ready for LF reps in Queens, we’ll probably might see Morabito start in RF.  

When Morabito was hitting in between JETT and Clifford, they enjoyed their best months with the Rumble Ponies. After the Mets promoted both of them to Syracuse, Morabito batted in between youngsters A.J. Ewing and Jacob Reimer, and they enjoyed their best stretch during their brief AA stint. That’s the type of effect Morabito has on his teammates, which is why it is important for the Mets to figure out a role for him in some capacity going forward. I have a lot of respect for Tyrone Taylor, but he’s getting paid $4 million dollars this season to fill a role that Morabito can easily do for $800,000. Morabito is a much better hitter, provides the same type of defense, and is an exponentially better base-stealer threat. 

If Morabito can continue developing he could be much more than a reserve OF, and he is young enough to improve his ability to hit lefties. Despite the limited number of homers Morabito has hit, when he does connect, they are legit bombs. I’m sure at some point the Mets will work with him to begin tapping into his raw power, which could considerably raise his prospect profile. Even if he is only 10-12 HR player, his ability to make consistent hard contact would be an asset even in a reserve role, especially against right-handed pitchers. Unless there is a dire need for Morabito in Queens, I expect he will get a full year in Syracuse to hone skills, and be given a chance to win a job in Queens for the 2027 season.

Paul Articulates – The case for Nick Morabito

The New York Mets are in full hot stove season, and speculation abounds about what they will do to improve upon a dismal 2025 season.  

There are two primary thrusts to all that is being written right now.  One is to acquire some big names via trade or free agency and the other is to push for a youth movement, advancing some of the abundant minor league talent to see how they fare in the majors.

Both strategies are viable, but in the first strategy, a trade to acquire a big name like headline pitchers Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes would require the Mets to give up some of their prized prospects.   The scenarios usually try to protect our most heralded prospects like Nolan McLean, Carson Benge, and Jett Williams.  But knowing that we have to give value to get value, they often offer up a Jonah Tong or Brandon Sproat and Nick Morabito.

Today I ask the question, “Why give up Nick Morabito”?

First, let’s state the obvious reasons that Nick ends up on the block:

1) Jett Williams was the Mets’ first round draft pick in 2022.  He has generally performed as one would expect from a first rounder, advancing rapidly through the levels and finishing his third year in AAA.  He may have moved even faster, but lost much of the 2024 season to a wrist injury which is difficult to return from.  Williams slashed .261/.363/.465 in his 2025 season while showing both speed and defensive versatility by playing SS, 2B, and CF positions.  There is a strong feeling that he can be ready for a call-up in the second half of 2026 and since he can play both IF and OF positions, many want to see him debut in a Mets uniform to see how this investment pans out.

2) Carson Benge has been the talk of the minor league organization.  After being drafted in the first round of the 2024 draft by the Mets, Benge went on one of the most aggressive climbs through the levels, spending the last 24 games in AAA this summer.  The reason Benge rocketed through the organization was pure performance.  In 2025 he hit .302 in Brooklyn over the first 60 games, then hit .317 in 32 games at AA Binghamton.  Two years out of college ball he was dominating AA pitching, so they sent him to Syracuse.  No one wants to give up that kind of talent.

So the story line is that Benge and Williams are going to battle for heir apparent for center at Citi Field, so why not trade #3?

Here is why:

Over the past two seasons, Morabito has hit .292 in the minors. Benge has hit .280, Williams .252.  During that time frame, Morabito has 108 stolen bases, compared to 25 for Benge and 39 for Williams.  Morabito just tore up the AFL to the tune of a .362 batting average with another 16 stolen bases in 17 games.  He also might be the best outfielder of the group, committing only one error in 639 innings last year.  Nick has to improve upon his K rate to continue his upward trajectory, but he has done some impressive things so far.

I am not making the case that Nick Morabito is better than Carson Benge or Jett Williams, because no one really knows how any of these three will respond to the next level challenge against the best talent in the world.  But I am making the case that the Mets should really do their best to keep all three of these guys around to determine what they can do at the MLB level.

David Stearns has proven to be pretty stingy with his minor league talent over the past two off-seasons, and maybe he will be this year as well.  There is tremendous pressure on him to fix last year’s problems through trades and free agent acquisition, but he needs to follow his instincts and protect the nest egg.  

Paul Articulates - Mullin' it over

I wrote a prior article “The elephants’ graveyard” where I talked about how many years the Mets lacked a center fielder who could play both offense and defense.  On a team with so many resources, including the highest paid right fielder ever, how can it be that the Mets cannot land a center fielder that can contribute with a bat in hand?

It continues to bother me, so I sat down to write this piece, which was going to be called, “Mullins, it’s over” to make it very clear that it was a bad choice to trade for Cedric Mullins at the deadline this year.  The numbers are pretty ugly – a 0.188 batting average and a .591 OPS in his first month with the team are cringe-worthy, and the defense has not been worthy of any highlight reels either.  We gave up three pitching prospects for this, and even though none were in the top 10, it still seems like a bad return on investment.  Even worse, the guy who Mullins replaced as the regular center fielder was Tyrone Taylor, who has put up similar offensive numbers (.218/.277/.315) and has superior defensive skills.

But a funny thing happened when I turned to the stat sheets to find a center fielder that I really wanted to start for the Mets.  I couldn’t find one.  To be clear, I wasn’t looking for the best of the current bunch, I was looking for someone like Carlos Beltran or Tommie Agee.  It appears that the Mets are not the only ones who are struggling to find a star to patrol the middle outfield.  Now before everyone begins to protest, I know that there are guys out there that are better than what we have – Pete Crow-Armstrong started the season on a tear, but he has since fizzled to a .250 batting average.  Byron Buxton was a name during the trade rush but Minnesota refused to give him up – he is probably one of the better ones out there but would come at an exuberant price.  Michael Harris was a shooting star – he has never matched the offensive output of his first season and his first half this year made you wonder if he would be playing MLB anymore.  Oneil Cruz is batting .202.  Even Julio Rodriguez has an OPS below .800.

Lots of names, lots of stats – I won’t bore you with more because I think you get my drift.  The more I mulled it over, the more I realized that Stearns couldn’t go out and obtain another Beltran, so he opted for a stop-gap until the prospects in the system got MLB-ready.  Why spend a fortune on the middling bunch out there when you can grow your own?  We have guys like Nick Morabito, Jett Williams, and Carson Benge moving up through the system with great promise, but it was too early to put that burden on them.

So for now, I will stop trying to run Cedric Mullins out of town.  He serves a purpose, although I think a healthy Tyrone Taylor is a better option.  I will bide my time dreaming of someone like Benge or Williams making everyone forget the initials PCA.  Let’s take a look at the three prospects that will vie for the job.

Nick Morabito was a second round pick by the Mets out of Gonzaga high school in Washington DC.  This pick (#75 overall) was a compensation pick awarded to the Mets when Noah Syndergaard signed with the Angels.  Nick played rookie ball in his draft year, and then shot up to AA by the beginning of this season.  In his minors career, Morabito has hit .292/.380/.392 and has mastered each level on his way to AA.   Last year he was named the Mets’ minor league player of the year after compiling a .312/.403/.398 line between low A St. Lucie and high A Brooklyn.  In the current season with the AA Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Morabito is hitting .274 with 43 stolen bases, 50 RBI, and 60 runs scored in 108 games.  

Jett Williams was the Mets’ 2022 first round pick out of Rockwall-Heath high school in Texas.  He signed with a $3.9M bonus, and has lived up to all the accolades since then.  A wrist injury during the 2024 season caused him to have some surgery and miss most of the season, but he has charged back this year, moving up to AAA early in the year.  Williams has shown the ability to play multiple positions with a current concentration on shortstop and center field.  Like Morabito, Williams is a speedy base-runner, compiling 89 stolen bases in his minor league career despite losing almost a season to the wrist injury.

Carson Benge was also a first-rounder for the Mets, in the 2024 draft.  He signed for $4M and debuted for the St. Lucie Mets, where he hit .273 in 15 games.  By this season, Benge was assigned to high-A Brooklyn where he hit .302 in 60 games.  By June, he was moved to the AA Binghamton where he hit .317 in 32 games, and now has been moved to AAA Syracuse.  The other thing that you should know is that Benge is capable of pitching as well.  He was originally a two-way player, but the Mets have focused him on the outfield for now.  I thought it was worthy of note since the Mets have developed another two-way player out of Oklahoma State named Nolan McLean.

So after Mullin’ it over, I have decided to use some patience and wait to see what develops in the Mets’ system rather than clamoring for an expensive and immediate change to the roster.

Paul Articulates - Discussion with some of the AA prospects

During the Binghamton Rumble Ponies' media day, several local reporters were able to spend some time with three of the teams' top prospects and ask about their preparation for this coming season.  Many thanks go out to Binghamton media director Jacob Wilkins, Matt Levine, and the rest of the Ponies' staff for the opportunity.

I was fortunate to join in the fun and see what they are thinking about.  Of course, all the players that make it to this level have been well trained to avoid controversial or news-breaking statements, and these gentlemen did well with that training.  The transcript of these interviews follows:

Jett Williams interview – April 2025

Q: Healthwise, I know last year did not go like you wanted it to, but how are things this year coming in to the season?

A: Things are great.  I’m ready for a full healthy season.

Q: When you were down in Florida, what was it like spending time with the big league players?

A: It was great.  You talk to them, pick their brains about things. You learn a lot about what they do, and how they go about their business, what they do on an every-day basis.

Q: What have they told you about the positions you will play this year?  Infield/Outfield?  What do you want to do?

A: It doesn’t matter, as long as I’m on the field whether that is at short, second, or in center field?  They told me I am going to get more reps in center.

Q: Last year you played in the spring breakout game and they came to Binghamton.  This year you were able to do the same.  Are you going to approach anything differently this year?

A: I think it is going to be about staying healthy and working towards the big goals ahead.  Come in every day and try to get better.

Q: Anything in particular that the coach?

A: They have not specified.  Just getting more reps at all three positions, getting at-bats, staying healthy.

Q: Who is going to steal more bases this year, you or Nick Morabito?

A: I think we are going to bring out the best in each other.  I think we have a really good lineup.  It’s a great bunch of guys that will push each other and have a lot of fun.

Q: Do you plan to use one of the torpedo bats?

A: I don’t know.  The bat companies have asked me to use one, so I am sure that I will have one around to try out.  Either way, you still have to have a good approach and hit the ball.

Q: As someone who has been here at this level before, how do you plan to take a leadership role in your time here?

A: I have already been talking to some of the guys who will be spending their first year here about how to get through the cold, how the pitchers throw a little differently here and at AAA.  I’m trying to help everyone as much as I can with what I have experienced.

Ryan Clifford interview – April 2025

Q:  You hit that home run and win the MVP in the spring breakout game.  How did it feel to go out and compete with those guys?

A: Feels good.  There were a lot of names in those lineups that have been playing for a long time.  Some pretty good arms out there. I was glad we were able to put up the numbers we did and come away with a win.

Q:  You have been listed in the top prospects for the Mets along with five or six other guys that you have come up here to Binghamton with? What is it like being with these guys coming up together?

A: It is a good group.  I have been with some of them for a while now and we also have some new faces this year.  It is just a great group of guys looking to push each other to be our best.  It is going to be fun to compete out there with them.

Q: What are the things you have worked on in the spring that you think you will be a little better at this year?

A: For me, I think just working on hitting the top of the zone, especially trying to hit the fastballs up.  I think if I can cover that then everything else will just come naturally for me.

Q: What are your goals for this season in general?

A: I’m trying to pick up the ball better, trying to be more consistent in my hitting.  Defensively, I am going to play a lot of first base for the first month, then transition to the outfield from there and become more versatile.

Q: Following up on that, on the big club there are some positions locked up by the big stars and some aren’t.  Do you think there is an opportunity for you to get up there quicker in the infield or the outfield?

A: I think it is all subjective.  Sure, some of the stars are locked in but there will be days when they are not “feeling it” and there will be opportunities.  I’m trying to stay versatile – it doesn’t matter to me where I play – I just want to do the best that I can to get the opportunity to get on the field.

Q: Do you plan to use one of the torpedo bats?

A: I have seen them.  I am not sure it is the best fit for me but it is working for some guys, so down the road who knows what will happen?  I go to swinging a no-cut bat and I like having more weight at the end of the bat.  I want to be able to hit balls hard even if it is out at the end of the bat.

Nick Morabito interview – April 2025

Q: With you being a newcomer to Binghamton, what have you been told so far about competing here in AA?

A: I am very grateful for this opportunity to be here in Binghamton – it is a big jump from high to AA but I’m prepared to take it on.  It’s a little colder here; I haven't played in cold since high school, but I’m excited and ready to embrace it.

Q: Have you received any advice from the top prospects in the organization about making the jump from A to AA?

A: I am close with the guys here, so I have been able to talk with them. Obviously I know the competition is going to be a little better, but I’m ready to get started

Q: How are you feeling as you prepare to go into this season?

A: Most importantly I’m healthy, my spring training routine has been consistent, and I look forward to going out there every day and working hard, staying healthy.

Q: What were some of the things you have been working on in spring training?

A: I worked pretty hard on my defense in spring training.  I have been working center field, a lot on my first step reactions and my overall range getting to balls.  Defense has always been something I take pride in.

Q: When you were in St. Lucie, did you run into some of the big stars like Lindor and Soto?

A: Not a lot – only played in one big league game because I was dealing with a little “wrist thing” in spring which is all good now.  It was pretty cool just being around those guys.

Q: What do you think you can bring to the Rumble Ponies lineup this year?

A: Hopefully do well in center field, steal some bases.

Q: Who’s going to steal more bases this year, you or Jett?

A: I don’t know – I am going to get as many as I can.   Hopefully he will get many too.

Q: Many of today’s hitters focus on power hitting in the leadoff spot.  You bring speed to the game.  Does that give you an advantage?

A: Yeah, having guys that can steal bases in the top of your lineup is an exciting part of the game – fans love to see it.  That’s what I like to give to the fans.

This is going to be a fun group to watch this year.  There will be an exciting brand of baseball played in Binghamton with a combination of speed, power, and pitching.  If you can make it to the stadium, it will be well worth the price of admission.

Mets Prospect Profile: OF/IF Nick Morabito

This is the next post in a series intended to bring awareness to some of the lesser-known prospects in the Mets' organization  This series will post a different prospect each weekday at 11:00am EST for the benefit of our fans.

Nick Morabito is a 20 year old (turning 21 in May) RHH 5-11/185 CF/RF/2B that the Mets drafted in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft, straight out of Gonzaga College High School. 

He wet his pro whistle in 2022 with 22 at-bats at FCL that should he easily forgotten.

Last season he split time between the same FCL team (111-AB, .324/.437/.432/.869, 20-BB, 11-SB) and St. Lucie (93-AB, .286/.403/.378/.781, 14'BB, 10-SB).

He also has only three errors in his combined two seasons, three team 104-attempts).

Morabito is built like a fullback.

His swing has short levers with a direct to ball approach. A short, compact swing with no wasted movements. 

Possesses above-average raw power and above average speed (6.68-sec. in 60 seconds).

MACKS SPIN -

No need to rush here.

Figure three seasons away, if there is room for the then very crowded centerfield and shortstop positions.

If not, could be moved for a starter.