First NY Mets spring training lineup offers 1 positive, 1 potential troubling hint

The first New York Mets spring training lineup is out and it’s time to overreact. We knew Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette, and Juan Soto would be there. The rest is all depth.

Spring training lineups might as well get taken out of a hat. This one is only relevant because it’s the first.

Reading way too deeply into it, we get one positive and one troubling hint as to how the Mets plan to implement their Opening Day structure.

One good, one bad takeaways from the first Mets spring training lineup

The good: Ronny Mauricio is getting his chance at shortstop

With Francisco Lindor out, a large question looms as to who takes over for him at the position on Opening Day if he’s not ready. Vidal Brujan is the weak choice. Bichette is a practical one. Ronny Mauricio is a desirable one for many.

The Mets have an opening to give Mauricio significant playing time with Lindor out. It doesn’t quite make as much sense to do it with Bichette at shortstop as Brett Baty is more of an ideal candidate to take on the everyday duties at third base. Fewer scenarios make sense for Baty to begin the year in right field with Carson Benge and Mike Tauchman both intriguing options for very different reasons.

It makes little sense to demote Mauricio and waste his final minor league option when there actually are at-bats for him in the absense of Lindor. Seeing Mauricio get the first reps is promising for his chances. Even if he isn't your preferred choice at shortstop, at least the Mets aren't settiling.

The bad: Marcus Semien might get the benefit of the doubt

Semien batting leadoff in this lineup is nothing major, but can offer a suggestion he’ll be someone who could always get that spot in the lineup in case Lindor is absent to begin the year. If Lindor is available, perhaps Semien ends up batting fifth or so behind Jorge Polanco.

Semien is one of those guys who can bat as high as first when things are going well (maybe not on the Mets). When things are going poorly, he’s more of a number nine hitter.

Out of respect for Semien, the Mets seem bound to give him leash to sink or swim. It made sense to have him hit high in this batting order full of minor leaguers and bench candidates. If he was hitting third, we can come to a conclusion that maybe he’s just the third best hitter here. Soto leading into Bichette was necessary, but why not move them up?

The entire structure of the lineup seems to benefit those with experience. Austin Barnes batting seventh followed by Jose Rojas and Chris Suero suggests very little other than giving earlier at-bats for those who’ve faced major league pitching before.

It's only spring training. This is concern level 0.5 out of 10.