MACK: Hot Bats – Christopher
Morel, Daiverson Guiterrez, Chris Suero
Time to get to know three more of the current hot Mets bats:
PERIOD: 7/8 – 7/17
Christopher Morel/AAA-Syracuse
- .417/.500/1.083/1.583
Christopher Morel (full
name: Christopher Rafael Morel) is a 27-year-old Dominican utility player (born
June 24, 1999, in Santiago) who bats and throws right-handed. He is currently
in the New York Mets organization after signing a minor-league deal in late
June 2026.
Morel broke into the majors with the Chicago Cubs in May
2022. He showed promise as a power-hitting utility man, playing multiple
infield and outfield positions. His best season came in 2023: .247/.313/.508
with 26 HR and 70 RBI in 107 games.
Trade to Rays (2024): Mid-2024, the Cubs traded him (along
with others) to the Tampa Bay Rays for Isaac Paredes. He played there through
2025, with more modest production.
Marlins (2026): Signed a one-year, $2M deal with Miami. He
started the year on the IL with an oblique injury, then struggled badly in 22
games: .162/.219/.206 with 0 HR and 28 strikeouts in 68 AB before being
designated for assignment and released in late June.
Mets Signing (June 30, 2026)The Mets signed him to a
minor-league contract with multiple opt-outs (first on July 15) and assigned
him to Triple-A Syracuse. This is a low-risk depth move for a Mets team looking
for bats and versatility amid a tough season. He
has experience at nearly every position except catcher (though he's generally below-average
defensively).
Career MLB Stats (through early 2026)499 games,
.220/.296/.407 (95 OPS+), 74 HR, 211 RBI, 32 SB.
Strong arm (routinely
99th percentile in arm strength) and raw power are his calling cards.
He's a high-strikeout hitter (career contact rate is among
the lowest for players with significant MLB time) whose production has declined
since his early Cubs days.
In Triple-A with Syracuse (as of mid-July 2026), he has
shown signs of life with a strong
Overall: Morel is a toolsy,
versatile player who had breakout flashes early but has dealt with inconsistency,
strikeouts, and injuries. The Mets are hoping he can recapture some of
that 2022–2023 power in their system. He has arbitration eligibility remaining,
so a strong showing could lead to a call-up and potential control through 2028.
Daiverson Gutierrez (born
September 11, 2005, in Caracas, Venezuela) is a 20-year-old right-handed
catching prospect in the New York Mets organization. He is currently playing
for the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones.
The Mets signed him as an international free agent on
January 15, 2023, for a $1.9 million bonus —
the largest in their 2023 international class and about one-third of their
pool. At the time, he was viewed as a power-hitting
catcher with a strong arm and advanced defensive skills for his age. He
was ranked among the top international prospects (No.
27 overall by some outlets).
Height/Weight: 5'11", ~205-206 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
2023 (age 17, DSL): Struggled initially (.186/.321/.244 in
50 games) but showed some plate discipline.
2024 (age 18): Big improvement with
mechanical swing changes. He performed well across DSL, FCL, and a brief St.
Lucie stint (.259/.396/.435 overall in limited action, with strong walk rates and extra-base power).
2025 (age 19, Single-A St. Lucie): Full-season debut —
.242/.362/.309 in 91 games, with 4 HR, 10 doubles, 53 BB vs. 58 K, and 6 SB. Good plate discipline but modest power output.
2026 (age 20, High-A Brooklyn): Rougher start overall), but
he has shown flashes, including multi-home run games, a four-hit night, and
earning Minor League Player of the Week honors (shared). Monthly splits
improved notably later in the season.
Career MiLB (through 2026): Around .217-.229 AVG, modest
power (10-12 HR), solid OBP thanks to walks, and strong defensive reputation.
Strengths and Outlook - Defense
is his standout trait. He has above-average
arm strength, good receiving/blocking skills, and moves well behind the
plate. Scouts praise his leadership, work
ethic, and overall catching profile.
Offense: He has shown power
potential (especially in 2024) and strong
plate discipline (consistent double-digit walk rates). Swing adjustments
in 2024 helped, but he's still developing consistency and impact power at
higher levels. He's more advanced defensively than offensively right now.
As of early 2026 rankings, he was listed around No. 23-25 in
the Mets' system. His ETA to the majors is likely in the late 2020s. He
represents one of the Mets' key young catching.
Overall, Gutierrez is a toolsy, defense-first catcher with
offensive upside who is progressing through the Mets' system. His 2026 season
at High-A will be an important test of how he handles better pitching. Keep an
eye on him for defensive highlights and improving bat production as he gains
experience.
Chris Suero/AA-Binghamton
- .357/.438/.786/1.224
Chris Suero (full name:
Christopher Suero) is a 22-year-old catching/outfield/first base prospect in
the New York Mets organization. He's known for his
athleticism, speed (uncommon for a catcher), power
development, and versatility.
Born: January 27, 2004, in the Bronx, New York (Dominican
heritage).
As a teenager (around age 15), he moved to the Dominican
Republic to train and pursue a pro career as an international free agent
(bypassing the MLB draft).
Signed with the Mets in March 2022 for a small $10,000 bonus
out of the Dominican Republic. He learned to catch shortly before signing to
boost his profile.
He's a "project baby" from the Bronx who takes
pride in his roots and has expressed a strong desire to play for the Mets.
5'11", 205 lbs; Bats/Throws: Right/Right.
Key Strengths: Plus speed for a
catcher (stole a minors-leading 35 bases in 2025 among catchers, with
strong success rate).
Emerging power (career-high
16 HR in 2025 regular season).
Athleticism behind the plate (quick
out of crouch, above-average arm with 1.8-1.9 pop times) and versatility (also
plays left field and 1B).
Good plate discipline/walk rates
in the minors.
2026 Scouting Grades (MLB Pipeline): Hit: 40 | Power: 50 |
Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45. Ranked around No. 14-17 in the
Mets system.
He's drawn comparisons to players like Daulton Varsho due to
his athletic catching profile and multi-positional value.
Minor League Career Highlights2022: DSL Mets — Modest start
but showed patience (high walk rate).
2023: FCL Mets — Strong small-sample showing.
2024: Quick rise from Low-A St. Lucie to High-A Brooklyn;
solid contact, speed, and extra-base power.
2025: Breakout year split between High-A Brooklyn (strong
first half, including a walk-off HR to clinch a title) and Double-A Binghamton.
Hit .233/.379/.407 with 16 HR and 35 SB in 115 games. Excelled in the Arizona
Fall League (power, speed). Won SAL Player of the Week and Post-Season All-Star
honors.
2026 (ongoing): Has shown power (multiple homers reported)
but some strikeout issues in
early Double-A action. Non-roster invite to big-league spring training.
Suero is a toolsy, high-upside prospect whose bat has
progressed well, though he needs to refine his hitting consistency (especially
against higher-level pitching) and continue developing as a catcher.
His speed and positional flexibility give him a good chance
to carve out a big-league role, potentially as soon as 2027.
He's competed in the AFL Rising Stars game and continues to
rise in the organization.
3 comments:
Hopefully, Gutierrez will be better than Ali Sanchez.
Two questions:
1. How does Daiveson Gutierrez compare to Yovanni Rodriguez?
2. What ever happened to the lottery ticket the Mets got for Jeff McNeil named Rodriguez from Cuba?
Tom, that’s the player I thought of immediately when I read the profile. However, isn’t Sanchez on the Yankees now?
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