Luke Ritter, 2nd Basemen, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 2/15/1997 in Minneapolis, MN, USA. Drafted by the New York Mets, 2019 June Amateur Draft - Round: 7, Pick: 11, Overall: 208 from Wichita State; Rule 5 Draft eligible, December 2022.
If missing the 2020 season due to COVID wasn't tough enough for minor league players - getting hurt in 2021 made it even worse.
For Luke Ritter, he started out 2021 in Brooklyn showing improved power from the 2nd Base position. In his first 166 at-bats, 11 HRs, 34 RBIs, .240 BA. Then, an injury to his hamate bone and he missed time between 7/7 - 8/14 with an IL stint. When he came back, he had 84 at-bats, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, and a .214 average.
After being drafted in 2019, “Ritter the hitter” was often the number four hitter in Brooklyn’s 2019 NY Penn Championship lineup. In 68 games in 2019, Luke excelled at hitting at the very difficult to hit MCU park with a .317 home batting average while hitting .184 on the road.
In 2021 the park in Brooklyn caught up with him 12 HRs, 37 RBIs, .252 avg. on the road. 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, .207 at Home. In 2022, Luke is projected to be in Binghamton. I am sure he will welcome the change in scenery and more friendlier confines.
Luuuuuuuuuke! Luke Ritter with a 3-run shot - his 13th home run of the year - to give Brooklyn a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. #amazinstartsherepic.twitter.com/fw0VUvkZdg
Luke Ritter spoke to @AlyssaRose during @Mets Spring Training to discuss his first experience at camp, what it was like to watch @GoShockersBSB for the first time in 4 years and more in this interview. pic.twitter.com/E7tdpHN45n
3B/OF, Bats Left, Throws Right, DOB 11/13/1999; Drafted: 2019 June
Amateur Draft - Round: 1, Pick: 12, Overall: 12, Team: New York Mets. Rule 5 Eligible in 2022. All three Minor League Options remain.
Brett had a great 2021. He excelled in Brooklyn, 7 HRs, 34 RBIs, .309/.397/.514 - .911 OPS in 51 games. This got him named to the 2021 Futures Game in Colorado and called up to Binghamton for the remainder of the season where he hit .272/.364/.424 - .787 OPS with 5 HRs, 22 RBIs.
Brett finished off the year in the Arizona Fall League going .292/.373/.404 - .777 OPS - 1HR, 15 RBIs in 25 games.
Everywhere he went he got rave reviews:
In a recent interview Brooklyn Cyclones announcer Keith Raad had this to say about Brett Baty: "...he is one of the most seasoned professional hitters I’ve ever seen and he’s just getting started. Watching him take pitches and know the strike zone, it sounds stupid, its sounds boring, but it’s actually genius when you watch him actually pick out a pitch he can do damage with and it doesn’t matter where it is in the zone, he can find it…and if he wants it low and away, he’s going to wait until it’s low and away. He’s going to foul off pitches like a big leaguer would...the complete package – power, average, everything…"
Mack's Mets Tom Brennan listed Brett as his #2 prospect: "Fine BB season for "BB" in 2021. He hit .292 in A and AA, but that included him hitting just .239 in blustery Brooklyn, so outside of that offense-retarding park, he hit well over .300. He should be big league ready once he puts another season under his belt. Striking out a lot in Arizona, showing he is most likely not ready yet. Some day, this BB he may become the BB King of the Mets. And an All Star. I'm betting on it."
SNY.TV also had Brett as their #2 Mets Prospect saying: "Baty is a pure hitter with plus raw power that has not been applied in-game at the level that is expected as of yet. He barrels the ball consistently gap to gap with high exit velocities. He has plus pitch recognition skills and the ability to sit back on off-speed pitches and hit them with authority. He has made some swing adjustments that should allow some more loft in his swing, and some of those 22 doubles he hit will turn into home runs."
MLB.com: Prospect debuts we're excited to see in '22: "It’s far from a given that Baty heads to Flushing next summer. He just turned 22. He played 40 games at Double-A last year and put up solid, if not spectacular, numbers in the Arizona Fall League on top of that. But still, his is the most exciting potential debut for the Mets next season. Another year of maturation, another year of upper-level experience could allow him to tap even more into his plus-plus raw power and solidify his standing at third base, even with Eduardo Escobar now in the frame."
The Athletic named Brett one of the top 10 prospects in the Arizona Fall League noting this: "Baty has a strong hit tool. He likes to shoot the ball the other way and has a good feel for the strike zone...His feet aren't quick, but neither is he standing in quicksand. If he adds more weight to his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame to generate more power, that might force a move to first – notably, Baty lost a lot of weight over the past year to improve his mobility – but if he can access his natural power, he can thrive there, too. There might not be Gold Gloves in his future, but he might collect a few All-Star jerseys." (Subscription required)
The Mets drafted Brett in the first round in 2019 and he almost
immediately moved to the top of everyone’s prospect list.
He was very impressive in his short time in Brooklyn (just 4
regular season games and 3 post season games). He always seemed to
have long at bats and a real good eye at the plate.
MLB.com: Here
is each team's top future slugger. Mets: Brett Baty, 3B (MLB No. 94). “The Mets chose
to overlook that Baty was on the older side at 19 for a prep bat in the 2019
Draft and took him 12th overall precisely because of his power potential. The
third baseman provides plus power from the left side and earns extra marks for
his ability to drive the ball the other way. He hit seven homers and slugged
.452 in 51 games across three levels in 2019 showing promising pop in the
Minors for someone already coming off a full high-school schedule. After time
at the alternate site in 2020, Baty should bring power to the middle of a Mets
Minor League lineup again this summer."
Per
Baseball Savant: “Baty's raw power was
among the best in the 2019 Draft, the product of his bat speed, strength and
lofty left-handed swing. He drives the ball with authority to all fields and
already generates big league-caliber exit velocities, and scouts were
especially impressed with the true opposite-field power he showed during his
first pro exposure. More than just a slugger, Baty also employs a patient
approach, does a good job controlling the zone and recognizes spin well enough
for scouts to project him as an above-average hitter with 25-plus homer power…Scouting
grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55”
Joe
DeMayo SNY.TV in November 2020 had Baty as his #5 Prospect: “The first
draft pick of former GM Brodie Van Wagenen’s regime in a sense personifies the
build of a Mets prospect. He has plus raw power to all fields, he has plus
knowledge of the strike zone, but there is some wonder about his overall hit
tool and where he ends up on the diamond.”
Amazing
Avenue had Brett Baty as their #4 Prospect and noted this about his defense:
“Defensively, Baty is currently capable third baseman...His strongest asset
there is his arm, which grades out as well above-average and capable of hitting
90 MPH. His mobility is something of a concern, as he lack much quick-twitch
muscle. He is slow to react and reach balls, resulting in balls getting past
him, or errors when plays are rushed. Evaluators have concern that he will
eventually be forced to move off of third base, either to first base or
possibly left or right field, though his below-average speed will be of concern
in the outfield as well.”
Mets.com: Pipeline Q&A: Mets prospect Brett
Baty. His goals for 2020: “Definitely the defensive ability, just
getting better at third, getting more agile moving around. Also, my timing at
the plate and being able to shorten up with two strikes and not have as many
strikeouts.”
MLB.com
October 2020: Mets prospect report from alternate site. “Brett Baty (No.
3/MLB No. 88) and 2017 second-round pick Mark
Vientos (No. 7) are two of the better, if not the best power hitters in the
organization, with both players standing out for their physicality as well as
their innate ability to impact the ball. When they arrived at the Brooklyn site
in late August, it was clear to those within the organization that both players
had put in a lot of work to improve their strength during the shutdown -- and
that was before each guy recorded an extra-base hit in his first game at-bat. ‘It’s
pole-to-pole power,’ said [Jared]Banner
[the former the Mets’ executive director of player development] about the
left-handed-hitting Baty, who arrived at the alternate site looking leaner than
the previous year.”
Ernest
Dove: “I feel it is safe to project Baty to have a good season ahead. The
power numbers can always be hard to project for players in Low A and Class High
based on the areas, weather and ball parks. For now I am still willing to
predict and project that Baty plays out 2021 at the A ball levels and goes into
double digits in homeruns.”
Stats:
Hitting:
Hitting Splits:
Fielding:
Videos and Audio:
Before each Binghamton Rumble Ponies game, Announcer Jacob Wilkins interviews the Rumble Pony players, coaches, and staff. Below is a great interview he did in 2021 with Brett Baty.
For @baty_brett, playing in the @MLBazFallLeague is an honor. The @Mets prospect discusses everything from his preparation to his excitement to be among some of the game’s best young talent in this year’s Fall League. 👀 pic.twitter.com/WG2lp8RVAe
New York Mets number four prospect Brett Baty had a break out night for the @RumblePoniesBB. Here’s every hit from his 4-hit, 6-RBI performance. His opposite field hitting ability is certainly amongst he best in the @MiLB , not to mention with power too. @Mets_Minorspic.twitter.com/x4cS5dOblM
See Ball, Hit Ball! @Baty_Brett caught up with @MetsFarmReport after his Double-A debut last night to talk about when he got promoted, the Futures Game, and his first hit as a Rumble Pony. pic.twitter.com/ro0xYLKH83
— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) July 15, 2021
#Mets prospects Brett Baty and Francisco Álvarez hit back to back doubles down the line for @BKCyclones. Álvarez’s double drove in Baty and Ronny Mauricio who had singled pic.twitter.com/6ABV9cGL1t
Ronny Mauricio, SS, Bats Both, Throws Right, DOB 4/4/2001, 6'3", San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Signed by the New York Mets for $2.1 million as an International free agent on July 2, 2017.
At 19, before he turned 20 in April, Ronnie was invited to Spring Training with the Mets in 2021. As one of the youngest players in camp he hit .357 in 9 games (5 for 14).
At 20 last year, he was one of the youngest players in High-A (2.9 years lower than the league average) and Double-A (2.9 years lower than the league average). This year in winter ball he is 8 years younger than the league average.
Ronny is currently taking time off from Winter Ball in the Dominican. If he starts up again, we will have all the details here.
The Mets added him to the 40 Man Roster on November 19th to keep him out of the Rule 5 Draft.
In all three levels Ronnie excelled.
In Brooklyn, he was named High-A prospect of the year, 100 games, .242/.290/.449 - .739 OPS, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs.
In his brief 8 game stint in Double-A in 2021, Ronnie showed that belonged - .323/.364/.452 - .815 OPS, 1 HR, 1 RBI.
Right now Ronnie is the starting Shortstop in the Dominican Winter League for the Tigres Del Licy (see Stats below).
Sitting right next to the Atlantic Ocean on Coney Island, Brooklyn can be a very tough place to hit, especially for left hand hitters. In a recent interview with Mack's Mets, Brooklyn Cyclone announcer Keith Raad noted that Mauricio "because he’s a switch hitter...he would hit left a million times and the wind is blowing in. So you hit the ball as hard as you want, it’s not going to go anywhere.."
That's one of the reasons why Mack's Mets Writer Tom Brennan advocated most of last year to move Ronnie up to Binghamton and you saw a big increase in his numbers in his limited time there last year.
Ed Blankmeyer: Ronnie is a special talent – tremendous upside – he’s become a special defensive player – sometimes he tried to do too much. Offensively – great upside with the bat – like everyone else he has to learn the strike zone – as a switch hitter – that might take longer. But very, very, special player.
JFA: You talked about his defense and sometimes he tried to do too much – do you see him staying at Shortstop?
Ed Blankmeyer: Yes I do. He’s a shortstop. His range is very good. His arm is a plus. Very good hands. The way you evaluate a shortstop – can he go in the hole and throw someone out – the answer is clearly yes – the world is his oyster –
When you see Ronnie play a minor league game, the first thing you notice is that at 6'3", he seems tall for a shortstop. By comparison, slick fielding shortstops Francisco Lindor and Ozzie Smith are 5'11", and Omar Vizquel and Rey Ordonez are 5'9". However Alex Rodriguez handled SS well at 6'3" as did Ernie Banks at 6'1".
He has all the tools - speed and a great arm to be a good shortstop. With Lindor signed for the next ten years, the Mets may choose to move him to another position.
"Ronny Mauricio- average and BBs were not as good as I’d hoped, but his power bat emerged with 20 HRs. I am guessing he lost perhaps 5 HRs and 20+ points in Brooklyn. Factor that in - and he suddenly looks more formidable.
2022 should be VERY interesting for him to see if he can hit 30 HRs in the high minors as he continues to fill out. My guess? Piece of cake.
Could he be a 30 HR guy in the majors in a few years? Why not?"
Ronny Mauricio talks about his experience with the @TigresdelLicey, including what it has been like playing in the league and learning from the veterans. pic.twitter.com/hmD7nR0eqj
SS/INF/OF, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 12/22/1997, 6'0", 161, Mao, Dominican Republic, Signed by the New York Mets as an International free agent on June 1, 2016. Eligible for the Major League version of the 2021/22 Rule 5 draft (currently postponed due to the lockout).
When I saw him play for Brooklyn in 2019 he could field, he could hit and he could run. Though he had only 12 steals for Brooklyn that year, he was one of the most aggressive base runners I had seen in a long time - always trying to take the extra base. In my opinion, he was the MVP of the 2019 NY Penn League Champion Brooklyn Cyclones.
Wilmer missed all of 2020 due to COVID. Then, he impressed many at the instructional camp in the fall:
Mets.com Mets instructional league prospect report: "Wilmer Reyes, 22, has seen time all over the diamond as well, impressing at multiple positions while really opening eyes with his right-handed bat."
It looked like 2021 would be his year; however in spring training, Wilmer suffered a knee injury which kept him on the Injured List until September 1st. He played just 7 games in the Florida Complex League and 9 in Brooklyn slashing .345/.409/.483 - .892 OPS with 2 HRs and 10 RBIs.
To give him some extra playing time, he was sent to the Arizona Fall League where is was able to play an additional 19 games - .219/.324/.328 - .652 OPS, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 Stolen Bases.
Wilmer is available to be picked in the 2021/22 Major League Portion of the Rule 5 Draft. His lack of playing time over the last two years probably makes him an unlikely pick.
I see Wilmer as a right handed Luis Guillorme type that can also play the outfield and steal a base when needed. A guy that will force his way into the everyday lineup with his bat. I could see him playing 6 days a week - all at different positions to give other players days off. A very valuable player.
For 2022, my projection is that he starts in Binghamton with a promotion to Syracuse. If the Mets don't add him to the 40 Man Roster at the end of the season, he will be a 7 year minor league free agent. I think we will see him in the Majors. I hope it is with the Mets.
