Reese Kaplan -- Who's On First (and Second and Everywhere)?

Have a look at the Mets Spring Training games these days now that the World Baseball Classic series of games have started and you are probably shaking your head in a baseball version of "Where's Waldo?" seeking out the familiar and professional names we associate with Steve Cohen's crew out on the field.

In one game earlier this week we were happy to see the future prospective players like Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos. These names we know and the more we get to see them the better we get at tempering overly optimistic impressions of their abilities or opening our eyes to talents we were aware they possessed.

As an example, earlier this week former major league third baseman and Mets' key management team member Eric Chavez came forth with a declaration that Baty is going to be a fine third baseman which ran contrary to what everyone has said and heard about his defensive abilities. (The fact that his defensive game was praised by their 2022 hitting coach was a bit odd, of course).

I have already spoken at length about getting Mark Vientos the at-bats necessary to overcome the adjustment period for this next level of pitching, just as I have said that catcher Francisco Alvarez needs to spend every inning he can on the defensive side of his game while he continues refining his run producing capability which no one is questioning.

Ronny Mauricio's challenge is two fold. His hitting has been of the headline grabbing variety since the winter league ended but the focus has instead shifted to where he can play. As a shortstop, he has Francisco Lindor blocking his path. Jeff McNeil could theoretically shift to left field or third base opening up second base, but they just made him very nearly a Met for life with his new deal so it's unlikely they will push him aside for the hot prospect of the week. Third base will open up when Eduardo Escobar hits the road in 2024, but then there's a matter of Brett Baty and Mark Vientos whose native preferred position is the hot corner. Outfield, anyone?

No, this quartet of the Mets future are already pretty well known by even casual Mets fans. It's the others getting playing time that makes many folks start Googling names to find out who they are and what they have done in the past.

A great example is middle infielder Danny Mendick who was cut and made available to the highest bidder after ending his tenure with the White Sox. He's spent parts of each of the past four seasons there and ironically after hitting .289 over a 2022 tally of 97 ABs, they'd seen enough and the now 29 year old player with virtually no power and no speed was not going to be a Chicago staple. He's likely ticketed to Syracuse as a fallback should any infielder go down and they need a capable backup.

Similar part timer Tim Locastro has opened quite a few eyes with a surprisingly capable bat in Florida, but it's always been his legs and glove in the outfield that make him a fringe prospect to be a pinch runner and late inning defensive replacement on the big club. A lifetime .227 hitter, it's hardly likely that he has finally learned to hit in his age 30 preseason. However, in fewer than 500 ABs he has stolen 39 bases, so it's possible there is a reason for him to be kept around.

Veteran Abraham Almonte is a fellow who draws a bit of recognition as he's spent more than ten years playing for seven different major league teams. The now chunky 33 year old was never able to put much offense into his game as he's just a career .235 hitter with about 10 HR per season power and no speed. Think of him as a gesture towards an experienced player no one ever wants to see starting on the major league club but sometimes can prove useful when injuries arise in New York.

The infield equivalent of Almonte is the younger but equally disappointing road warrior, Jose Peraza. He's only had seven years in the big leagues and spread that around four different teams. His career batting average is a not laughable .266 with speed and very little power. He's likely a better bet than Mendick for promotion to Queens should the need for a veteran ever arise.

I'm not going to recite record-by-record each of the remaining crew of would-be Mets ballplayers now getting playing time, but look down the list that includes Lorenzo Cedrola, Jaylin Davis, Luke Ritter and Matt Winaker...none of them are frontline prospects and more likely fall into the derisive category of suspects. Still, you will never know what they can do unless they play in more than a pinch hitting or one-off substitution role in the 8th or 9th inning.

Believe me, the same types of lists can be put together for the pitching side of the game as well, but that profile is probably another article by itself. Look for it on Saturday.