After months of the fan base clamoring for the move to be made, the Mets are finally calling up highly-touted prospect Ronny Mauricio, according to a report from MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old is slashing .292/.346/.506 with 23 home runs in 116 games this season with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate up in Syracuse. He is currently ranked the No. 4 prospect within the organization’s farm system, per MLB Pipeline.
Mauricio’s delay to the majors has mostly been predicated on his uncertain defense. An original shortstop whose path to the show was cut off by the acquisition of Francisco Lindor three years ago, the Dominican Republic native has been made to learn how to play different positions to become a versatile option in the field.
While he’s seen plenty of second base, he’s also played third and left field this season with Syracuse.
The Mets also wanted to see a bit more consistency at the plate following a mid-summer swoon — opting to take the cautious approach of potentially overcooking their prospects in the minors rather than a premature call-up.
“I think that’s a dangerous equation,” Mets general manager Billy Eppler said of calling Mauricio up on July 31. “If you’re pushing guys up here, there’s a lot of attention and there’s some there’s gravity to the games. It’s just a different environment and different elements and so you want them to feel very good about where they are.
“I have seen in my time… players go backward from that. You don’t want that. So I’d rather be a little late than too early.”
But with rosters expanding by two players on Friday, Mauricio is slated to get his first taste of the majors — though it remains to be seen if he’ll slot in at second base to ease him in. That would then shift veteran Jeff McNeil to a corner outfield spot.
For more on the Mets and Ronny Mauricio, visit AMNY.com
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