Antonio Slater - Antonio's Analysis - Mets Young Stars Shine in Brooklyn

 For the first time since September 10th, 2019, the Brooklyn Cyclones took the field to play a baseball game. And for the very first time, they were playing as the new High-A affiliates for the New York Mets. A roster full of potential, the Cyclones take the field with plenty of hopeful stars of tomorrow in Queens. Players like Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Matt Allan and Jake Mangum amongst others. 

The first three names in particular are reason enough to keep a close eye on this Cyclones roster, and before the ump could even say “Play ball!” some of that future potential popped up. Mauricio scorched a double and was driven in by 2019 first round pick, Baty on the very next pitch. Both Baty and Mauricio would reach base three times in the Cyclones season opener, which proved to be more than enough run support for the pitcher that evening, 2017 37th round draft pick, Josh Walker.

Walker was simply Amazin’ for the Cyclones, who not only locked down a potent Asheville Tourists lineup, but pitched 5 no-hit innings, allowing just two men to reach base during his outing; one on an error by Baty in the 2nd and a walk in the 4th inning the Ashville’s cleanup hitter, Scott Schreiber. 

Brooklyn ended going 2-3 in the 5 games against Asheville, with the sixth game being cancelled due to a non-COVID-related illness, but you can’t blame the bats for the losses scoring 36 runs on 49 hits. The offense was highlighted by two of the brightest stars in the Mets organization; Baty and Mauricio. The two young stars combined to hit .407 in the five game stretch with 9 extra base hits including home runs by Mauricio in consecutive games. The Baty-Mauricio combination also combined to drive in 11 runs. Tremendous showing by them at the plate. Where they struggled, however, was on the other side of the plate, as they combined for 7 errors from the left side of the diamond. Makes you wonder if they had a “rat or racoon” situation of their own in Brooklyn.

I of course say this with tongue-in-cheek, as it was their first series of pro ball in about 20 months so it is nothing to freak out over just yet, however something to perhaps keep an eye on. Both players will be watched and put under a microscope as the Mets have no true answer at the hot corner on their active roster, and with newly acquired start shortstop Francisco Lindor signing his contract extension, there is no opening at Mauricio’s natural position of shortstop. Leaving one to wonder if a positional change may be in the future for Mauricio. Third base? Second base? Corner outfield? Do they move Baty to the OF and keep Mauricio in the infield? Who knows, those are decisions the Mets likely won’t have to make for a couple more years, but something I tend to think about.

As I would check on these games and read the previews and pitching matchups, I kept asking myself one question: When is Matt Allan getting his first taste of game action? Well, we got the answer sometime Friday afternoon, and it wasn’t an answer we were looking for. Turns out, Allan has partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament which means the organizations top pitching prospect will undergo Tommy John surgery, which is becoming a sort or right of passage for hard throwing pitchers in the major leagues. A tough blow, as Mets scouts, executives and fans will likely have to wait until 2023 to see the highly touted pitcher take the mound for the first time.