Going into the 2027 season the Mets have an interesting quandary when it comes to
their prospective outfield. Let’s get the easy ones out of the way first.
Juan Soto may never be a gold glove winner, but a guy with this solid bat, base theft
capability and awesome home run power gets to play every day even if his defense
causes some squiriming and flinching by people more accustomed to the defensive skills
of former Mets like Tyrone Taylor or Harrison Bader. If he is merely acceptable out there
then the offensive parts of his game more than make up for any defensive limitations or
shortcomings.
Recently endorsed by Juan Soto as a star player is rookie Carson Benge. While
everyone hoped and expected the bat to blossom after his ice cold start to his major
league career, the baserunning and defensive skills opened many folks’ eyes when
considering his value to the organization. He owns the right field position with good
routes on hit balls as well as an often deadly throwing arms that has kept opponents
from advancing on the basepaths or seeing their ill fated decisions to stretch from third to
home wind up with a tag out from the catcher of the day.
Where it starts to get a bit murkiersis the picture of outfield depth beyond these two rock
solicd pillars in left field and right field. Given the horrific experience of Luis Robert out
there who could not hit nor stay healthy, it appeared for awhile that A.J. Ewing force fed
into the starting center field position from Syracuse was going to establish himself as the
next long term young ‘un making a name for himself as part of the new contending corps
of outfielders.
Then came the slump. While no player this side of tony Gwynn is 100% immune to
having stretches where his bat seemed to have finished entirely, it’s doubly concerning
when the player in question is in his rookie season. Yes, Ewing has looked professional
out there and contributes with this letgs every day, but if you’re not getting on base then
that latter talent is not quite as valuable.
At his best Ewing can more than hold his own in center field while hitting for a decent if
not All star level batting average with moderate power to accompany stellar stolen base
skills. However, when his bat went cold people began questioning his ability to face
major league pitching on a daily basis.
That situation in effect led to the promotion of not outstanding Syracuse veteran Nick
Morabito. Though a career .281 hitter in the minors he is starting off his major league
edition more than 100 points lower. He also has outsstanding baserunning ability but
like Ewing, if you can’t get on base then stolen base opportunities do not exist.
Behind him you have some late arrivers to Syracuse who have not had much time to
show how they can handle a higher level of pitching. You still have the opportunity to
consider trades and free agents if none of the in-house options (including many AAAA
types upstate) are deemed worthy of a starting role.?
12 comments:
Mets fans would burn down the rotunda if you remove either Ewing or Benge.
Soto will play out there until he won't. Then, he will move to first or sit in the dugout as the DH.
Morabito will replace Soto when Soto is ready and will move aside when one of the Aiden's is ready.
It is written.
Yes, all players slump and Ewing has rebounded out of his.
It is tough to argue with Mack's comment above. Soto has more power over the lineup than any player I have seen. He gets to play even though his lack of (speed/hustle - pick one) costs the team a run occasionally. I don't see him playing first base - he won't get to balls in the hole like Pete did last night - another run prevention issue. Morabito will come around just like Benge and post-slump Ewing.
I'm rooting for Bito
I just think Robbins is more talented
Lindor is hitting .229, so I won’t worry at all about Ewing’s .254. Morabito should be a competent 4th outfielder with speed, D, and a little pop. Use offseason $ to rebuild the pen.
Both of our young OFs have shown some lack of grace approaching wall on deep drives…fungos, fungos, fungos
Call up Tim Teufel
Best fungi hitter I ever saw
i expect Soto to work his way at his pace into the DH role. I would be surprised were he a full time DH anytime prior to his 30th Bday. I believe he has an opt out at some point, and may well exercise it if he isn't given full control over his role on the Mets. With a young infield getting younger from 28 on, its hard to see teh Mets having anyone other than a fine fielding 1B to help out in run prevention. Ewing is very young and if he hits 15 HRs a year and 35 doubles and bats 250 with 30SB, I don't see why he wouldn't be a good CF to have on a highly competitive team. Let's see what next year looks like.
I think Morabito was brought up because he has earned the opportunity, not because Ewing faltered.
He is also a right handed bat in an otherwise all LH hitting outfield group if you include Baty as #5 in that group.
Ewing is a future. 300 hitter. Do not underestimate him.
I hope you are right!
Ray, I agree. Ewing largely skipped AAA, so what he is doing is extremely impressive.
Walls are meant to be not slammed into.
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