1/18/22

Player Profile: Ronnie Mauricio

 

Update (1/18/2021)

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background:

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 –

Recently Tom Brennan talked about Ronnie's 22 errors in 95 A and AA games last year and 11 errors in 19 games so far in the Dominican Winter League.  

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.  

Prospects 1500.com has Ronnie as the #3 Prospect.

FanGraphs:

Hit

Game Power

Raw Power

Speed

Field

FV

30 / 50

30 / 50

45 / 55

50 / 50

45 / 50


55

Baseball Savant Spray Chart:



Tom Brennan recently had Ronnie as his #4 Mets prospect saying

"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?"

Jacob Resnick SNY.TV: Breaking down state of Mets' farm system position by position for 2022 season - Shortstop Top prospect: Ronny Mauricio; Closest Shortstop to Majors: Mauricio.

Mets.com has Ronnie ranked as the #3 ProspectBaseball America has him as the #92nd overall prospect.

Back in April 2021, Fangraphs had him as the Mets #2 Prospect.  They noted "Even if he only ends up with an average hit/power combination, that’s a really valuable everyday shortstop."

Mets.com: The Top 100 prospects for '21, team by team (from April 2021).  Mets have 4 on the list - #48. Francisco Alvarez, C (ETA: 2023); #67. Ronny Mauricio, RHP (ETA: 2022); #75. Matthew Allan, RHP (ETA: 2023); #94. Brett Baty, 3B (ETA: 2022). 

Stats:

Hitting:


Fielding:

Videos:



















7 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Very nice update with plenty of video, an excellent touch.

I think Mauricio gets a full, healthy year in 2022, and we may well see another reason by 2023 that it is smart that we didn’t sign Javier Baez for 6 years. Mauricio, Baty, and Vientos need room to join the Mets when really ready. R Mo has a long way to go, but so, for instance, did Brandon Nimmo at his age. My guess would be he’ll be ready by mid 2023.

TexasGusCC said...

That second to last video, where “he runs a marathon to make the catch” is why he needs to be in CF. He is good at it. Plus, his bat will still be a plus even there. Plummer is not the answer. Lee is better in RF, plus he has a rocket of an arm (What we’re the Royals thinking?). Mauricio needs to go stand in the middle of the field.

Tom Brennan said...

Gus, good point. In 2024, Ronny May be primed to start to transition with Marte in CF.

Eddie from Corona said...

Get this guy a OF glove, he is either our next Baez at 2b or RFer... But he needs to be a Met...
the bill always comes due... I am all about spending big but we then need players from within who are cheap...

Gary Seagren said...

Texas maybe Lee can end up for us like the Cone deal did with KC. To bad he can't pitch like Coney

Tom Brennan said...

John, I looked at MLB.com at their top 10 lists by position. Any idea where he falls? 11th SS?

Remember1969 said...

Looks like Mauricio is MLB's #12 shortstop and overall #53 prospect