3 NY Mets players who could take Ronny Mauricio’s Opening Day roster spot

3) Jared Young

We all remember the glory days with Jared Young. Only 47 plate appearances, he did manage to hammer 4 home runs. A promising 99 OPS+, Young will be the Mets’ DH solution should they ever need a Band-Aid for a decapitation.

Young actually had a really good year in Syracuse. He slashed .300/.396/.560 with 17 home runs. The .186 batting average in limited major league playing time is the only reason why no one is truly considering him for a major league role to begin the year. The Mets also showed no faith in him playing much defense. They used him as little as possible outside of the DH role. He can play a variety of positions, third base and left field being the most useful.

Scenarios where Young makes the Mets roster include the usual ones. He needs to hit well in spring training. The Mets have to prefer his power bat over anything Mauricio can add to the equation early on. A lefty (and Mauricio basically is one with the way he hits right-handed) as well, the purpose here would be to give the Mets pop they might not get otherwise.

Young might already have a role carved out for him. Even in a scenario where Mauricio is on the team, Young is a candidate to have a roster spot over Carson Benge. If Benge isn’t deemed ready to start the year in the majors, the Mets could have a bench of Mauricio, Young, Luis Torrens, and Tyrone Taylor. Young has a remaining minor league option which makes this a lot more possible. Arroyo and Brujan don’t. Perhaps a plan could develop where the Mets let Young and Mauricio co-exist until Benge’s arrival and see what fits the team best when the team comes.