Unique NY Mets prospect has some impressive tools, but seems bound for a bench role

They don’t make ballplayers like this much anymore. This is what we’d say to describe Jeff McNeil a few years ago. Able to play multiple positions, hit for a high average, and simply make contact while avoiding strikeouts at an impressive rate, New York Mets fans came to adore what the scrappy second baseman had to offer. Times have certainly changed with McNeil being more of a below-average player whose best attributes aren’t put to use much anymore. While some vast weaponry in his best years helped make him an All-Star, we have witnessed how certain limitations can catch up to a player.

This may very well be what’s in store for one of the more unique Mets prospects on the farm. The 2024 Minor League Player of the Year for position players, Nick Morabito is a speedy outfielder with a knack for drawing walks. There was no epiphany last year. In two straight seasons, the 2022 second round selection has hit over .300 while swiping bases at an electric rate.

Through 804 minor league plate appearances, Morabito has slashed .303/.402/.392 with 81 stolen bases in 100 attempts. He reached High-A last year and barely slowed down. It’s impressive what he can do and yet those shortcomings probably have him trending toward being a bench player.

The Mets have a talented prospect whose lack of power probably has him in a part-time role at best

Stealing 59 bases last year, including 48 in 59 attempts at High-A, solidified Morabito as a legitimate threat whenever he gets on. He drew 42 walks with Brooklyn while seeing his strikeout total creep up much more than it was at the lower levels. It was even at 18 a piece in St. Lucie. With Brooklyn, he fanned 80 times which is probably closer to average.

Morabito can run, make contact, and draw a walk. What he lacks is power, slugging 10 points less than his OBP. He has homered 6 times in his 804 plate appearances while not adding much in the way of doubles (27) or even triples (8). Power isn’t everything but it has become a near-necessity for regular big league success.

That doesn’t throw Morabito out of the mix of having a long and successful big league career. Growing into an average or better big league center fielder can keep him around as a light-hitting defensive guru who at his worst bats ninth in the order. The Mets seem to know exactly what they want out of him. Of his 168 games as a defensive player, 129 have been in center field.

If you’ve lingered around Mets baseball for a while, you may remember prospect Jason Tyner who was a perpetual .300+ hitter in the minor leagues who put the bat on the ball and stole bases but didn’t have much power at all, hitting only one home run in 1467 big league plate appearances. This is the lower end of what Morabito could become if he even does have a big league career. On the higher-end, Morabito can become a quick-footed Luis Arraez who can play defense. There’s a spot for players like this even if it doesn’t quite measure up to those once loftier expectations.