MACK – The Latest Hot Bats – Ben Rortvedt, Jackson Cluff, Frank Moreno

 

MACK – The Latest Hot Bats – Ben Rortvedt, Jackson Cluff, Frank Moreno

 

John From Albany keeps churning out this list and I keep sending it your way.

 

Period:    6/13 – 6/22

 

C Ben Rortvedt –

 

        .400/.526/.933/1.459 – 19-PA, 2-HR, 4-RBI, 6-H

 

Ben Rortvedt (full name: Benjamin Thomas Rortvedt) is a 28-year-old professional baseball catcher (born September 25, 1997, in Madison, Wisconsin) currently in the New York Mets organization. He bats left and throws right, stands 5'10" and weighs around 210 lbs.

Selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round (56th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Verona Area High School in Wisconsin.

MLB Debut: April 30, 2021, with the Twins.

He has bounced around several teams: Twins (2021), Yankees (2023), Rays (2024–mid-2025), Dodgers (mid-2025), and now Mets (2026).

Known primarily as a defensive specialist behind the plate, with strong framing, blocking, and overall receiving skills that have kept him as a viable big-league option despite modest hitting.

Career: .190 AVG, 9 HR, 52 RBI in 227 games (559 AB), .279 OBP, .270 SLG, 0.2 WAR.

Best offensive season: 2024 with Rays — .228 AVG, 3 HR, 31 RBI in 112 games.

Designated for assignment by Mets in late March 2026, cleared waivers, and outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.

Current Role with Mets    He provides organizational catching depth behind primary options like Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens. He is under contract through 2026 ($1.25M). His defensive reputation gives him a chance to return to the majors if injuries occur.

In short, Rortvedt is a well-traveled, defense-first catcher who earned a World Series ring in 2025 and is now adding depth to the Mets system. His journey highlights the journeyman nature of many backup catchers in MLB.

 

SS/2B/3B Jackson Cluff –

 

        ,462/.588/.692/1.280 – 17-PA. 1-RBI, 6-H

Jackson Cluff (full name: Jackson Paul Cluff) is a 29-year-old utility infielder (primarily shortstop and second base) in the New York Mets organization, currently playing for their Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Mets.

Born: December 3, 1996 (Littleton, Colorado).

Bats/Throws: Left/Right.

Height/Weight: 5'11" / 181 lbs.

Draft: Selected by the Washington Nationals in the 6th round (183rd overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Brigham Young University (BYU). He signed for $200,000.

Cluff spent his first six professional seasons (2019–2025) in the Nationals system, reaching Triple-A but never debuting in the majors. He became a free agent after the 2025 season and signed a minor-league contract with the Mets in November 2025 (with an invitation to big-league spring training).

He is known as a versatile, defense-first utility player. He has experience at every infield position (with middle infield as his comfort zone), some outfield time, and has shown speed and solid on-base skills. Scouts have noted athleticism, gap power, and above-average running ability, though questions about his arm strength for everyday shortstop have persisted.

He won Arizona Fall League Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.

Best recent season: 2025 with Rochester (Nationals AAA) — .242 AVG, .349 OBP, .422 SLG, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 23 SB in 103 games.

He has drawn walks at a decent rate and stolen bases effectively (career ~88 SB). Strikeouts have been a factor in some seasons.

Cluff is organizational depth for the Mets. He participated in spring training (making some highlight defensive plays) and is expected to serve primarily as a utility player at Triple-A Syracuse, with a slim but possible path to the majors if injuries create opportunities (e.g., the Mets have had infield

In short, Cluff is a classic "Quad-A" type player: reliable minor-league veteran with defensive versatility, some pop, and speed, now providing depth for the Mets.

 

6/14 – 6/23 –

 

C Frank Moreno/DSL Blue –

 

.526/.591/.842/1.433, 2-HR, 9-RBI, 22-PA

 

Frank Moreno is a 17-year-old Venezuelan catcher (born November 22, 2008) in the New York Mets organization.

He signed with the Mets as an international free agent in January 2026 on a minor-league contract that included a $75,000 signing bonus.

Position: Catcher (C)

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Height/Weight: 5'11"/185 lbs

He stands out as one of the Mets' recent international additions as the team continues to invest in young talent under their front office.