NY Mets prospect has made one of David Stearns’ first offseason decisions easy

Easily the most high-profile New York Mets prospect to take part in this autumn’s Arizona Fall League, Nick Morabito is a 22-year-old second round pick from 2022. The 2024 Minor League Player of the Year for position players, he followed it up with a good yet not outstanding 2025. He’s coming off a full season in Double-A where he hit .273/.348/.385 slash line. Light on power but high on speed, he hit 6 homers and stole 49 bases in 60 tries.

Double-A was far more challenging for Morabito. The difference between his walks and strikeouts continues to become more noticeable at each level. His 47 walks vs. 115 strikeouts was average, if not below.

Nevertheless, Morabito remains an intriguing member of the Mets minor league system. Rule 5 eligible this December, the Mets were faced with a choice of whether or not to protect him on the 40-man roster. If there was any doubt, he has made his case in the AFL.

Mets prospect Nick Morabito has been off and running (and more) in the AFL these last few weeks

Morabito’s AFL numbers have been superb. Through 13 games, he’s 18 for 53, good enough for a .340/.435/.472 slash line. He has stolen 12 bases in 14 tries, reminding the Mets front office how useful he can be without ever grabbing a bat or glove.

His quick feet and majority of playing time professionally in center field direct him toward a clear role on the Mets. Can you say 26th man, pinch runner, and defensive replacement three times fast?

Carson Benge is the guy the Mets want playing regularly in center field. However, in a more specialized role, Morabito feels like a suitable candidate. At the very least, he’s worthy of protecting on the 40-man roster. He’s not worth losing over nothing when he could profile similarly to a player the Mets seemed to hand away for very little a few years ago.

Former third round pick Jake Mangum became an important part of the Tampa Bay Rays this past season. In over 400 trips to the plate, the speedy outfielder hit .296 with 27 stolen bases. He didn’t make an error in 231 chances either with many favorable defensive metrics.

Outfield defense is a hallmark of the kinds of rosters Stearns likes to build. Zero errors in 136 chances as a center fielder and one in 2025 is a hint of what he might be able to offer.

In order to fit Morabito on the 40-man roster, the Mets will need to make some other sacrifices. He probably isn’t big league ready quite yet which is fine. A trade involving some of those other fringe MLB players such as Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio is the logical thing. A player like Jared Young might need to be DFA’d in favor of someone like Morabito with more upside.