Unique NY Mets prospect should get the Nolan McLean treatment and make him boring

In the middle of the 2024 season, the best decision possible was made with Nolan McLean. He dropped hitting to focus on his pitching. How’d that turn out? He’s only the number one New York Mets prospect and a guy expected to anchor the rotation for years to come.

It doesn’t get much more unique than what McLean was doing. A Mets prospect with some unconventional qualities is in a similar yet far less fascinating ship.

Chris Suero hits the ball hard, far, and is becoming a name fans should familiarize themselves with. What’s so special about him other than being a New Yorker? He’s a catcher/outfielder with the ability to steal bases. With MJ Melendez in camp as well, a catcher who moved to the outfield, the Mets get yet another reminder of why they may be better off making Suero less unique and just really good at a few things.

Mets prospect Chris Suero should either stick to catching or drop it altogether

How valuable is it to have a third-string catcher on the roster? You’re rarely going to use him. Over in the Bronx, Ben Rice is kind of an example of what Suero can be. Rice caught 36 games for the 2025 Yankees while playing an additional 50 at first base and 48 more at DH.

Suero is seemingly more athletic, patrolling left field on a regular basis. He has a strong arm behind the plate which shouldn’t just disappear. Melendez, as an example of a catcher who moved to the outfield, has maintained his cannon.

Most of last season for Suero was spent at catcher with a light shift into left field and first base duties. The Mets don’t have to completely have him drop that part of his game. However, with a season that’ll feature him starting the year at Double-A, why not repeat history and have him focus on one thing rather than multiple?

Suero hit 16 home runs, stole 35 bases, and had a .233/.379/.407 slash line last season in High-A and Double-A combined. He is no doubt a rising prospect within the system. His place within the organization is just in question because he has no one true position.

Lingering questions about Francisco Alvarez behind the plate could have him in a more shared duty there by 2027. Luis Torrens is a free agent after this coming season. He might also just simply start off as a bench piece capable of filling in at a multitude of roles. First base is open for competition. Right field can be, too.

It’s a big unknown as to where Suero eventually finds his place within the Mets organization. Turning him into more of a basic slugger and taking away his uniqueness might not be such a bad thing if the end result is similar to what happened with McLean. He went from a good pitching prospect to a phenom.