What to expect from Ronny Mauricio in the Majors
The Mets signaled they had been pivoting to 2024 and past with their blockbuster gross sales on the Trade Deadline. That theme will proceed in September, this time with an enormous addition.
New York is predicted to name up No. 91 general prospect Ronny Mauricio by Friday for his Major League debut, sources instructed MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo this week. The transfer corresponds with September roster enlargement to twenty-eight gamers, giving golf equipment somewhat extra flexibility and Minor League abilities a chance to see The Show.
The switch-hitter heads to The Show after hitting .292/.346/.506 with 23 homers and 24 steals in 116 video games at Triple-A Syracuse. The 2023 season has seen a repeat 20-20 efficiency from Mauricio, and as of Thursday, he’s considered one of 14 Minor Leaguers to hit the 20 mark in each the HR and SB classes. He completed this by being considered one of solely seven gamers aged 22 or youthful to fulfill the qualifying customary on the Minors’ high degree, and his 109 wRC+ was second-best amongst that group – one spot above fellow Top 100 prospect Masyn Winn (107) who was equally known as as much as St. Louis within the second half.
The uncooked energy, particularly, has by no means been doubtful for the Dominican Republic native.
Mauricio has strung collectively three straight 20-homer seasons following the missed pandemic yr, and solely Luke Ritter (27) has gone deep extra amongst Mets Minor Leaguers in 2023. Mauricio’s max exit velocity for Syracuse was 116.0 mph. No Major League Mets have reached that mark this season, with Pete Alonso main the best way at 115.7 mph. In truth, Mauricio has accounted for 10 of Syracuse’s high 12 exit velocities in 2023, starting from 113.3 to 116.0. His 43.2 % hard-hit price (i.e. share of batted balls hit at 95-plus mph) would rank sixth amongst Mets Major League qualifiers, between Francisco Alvarez (44.2) and Alonso (42.1).
The pop has performed somewhat higher from the left aspect (.516 slugging share) than the proper (.473), however Mauricio has proven a capability to drive the ball no matter pitcher handedness.
The teen’s energy would play even higher in video games if he had a greater method on the plate, one thing that’s been a relentless work in progress as he’s ascended towards Queens.
Mauricio has proven an unlucky willingness to broaden the zone at instances, resulting in some concern that he’ll possess a below-average hit instrument on the high degree. Even whereas his strikeout price has dropped to 18.2 % in 2023 (partly due to the ABS system in Triple-A), he has swung at pitches exterior the zone 36.2 % of the time at Triple-A, in response to information collected by BrooksBaseball.internet, and has significantly chased excessive pitches. The Major League common O-Swing% in 2023 is 28.7 %. His stroll price was additionally 6.6 %, seventh-lowest amongst Triple-A qualifiers.
There had been constructive traits of late within the self-discipline division with Mauricio strolling 11 instances in 115 plate appearances (9.6 %) throughout August. But even so, Major League pitching ought to present a harder take a look at of Mauricio’s means to work a free move, and he’ll should hold the aggression restricted to pitches he can drive if the bat goes to play shortly on the high degree.
Defensively, the 6-foot-3 Mauricio was introduced up as a shortstop with many evaluators believing he’d have to maneuver off the place in time. That perception was solidified when the Mets acquired Francisco Lindor in 2021, however New York didn’t actually give Mauricio publicity to different positions till this summer time. He noticed sporadic International League time at third base and left subject, however the bulk of his seems to be got here at second, together with every of his closing 13 begins for Syracuse.
Should he proceed to play the keystone — as could be anticipated as New York goals to maintain some continuity with such a budding younger star — Jeff McNeil would probably have to maneuver a nook outfield spot. It’s price noting Mets supervisor Buck Showalter has a historical past of easing in high prospects with taking part in time, however because the membership assesses its choices forward of the offseason, Mauricio ought to get loads of taking part in time now that he’s up, particularly to show him to top-level arms.
There may be instances when Mauricio wows in Queens with loud contact and lengthy dingers. There may be instances when he maddeningly expands the zone to his detriment. How many instances he dips into every bucket might give Mets evaluators a greater thought of his function sooner or later in Flushing.
