3 Mets who've already won a roster spot for next year thanks to their September performance
As the New York Mets 2023 season comes to a disappointing close, this month of September for the Mets is all about seeing what you have on your team right now for next season. And despite the down year we have seen out of New York, there still have been some bright spots on this club during the last several weeks of the season.
While the Mets may look a bit different next season, there's still hope to believe that they may be in for a bounce-back season in 2024 thanks to these players' September performance.
1) DJ Stewart has earned his NY Mets roster spot for next year
Is this really a surprise? Ever since DJ Stewart got called up from Syracuse in July, he has proven to be a big-time power bat and great with the glove in the outfield. There can definitely be a scenario in which he can be on the Mets roster in 2024. People are also forgetting that he was a first-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles in 2015 and it looks like, after several years, Stewart is proving why he was a high draft pick.
After not hitting much for Baltimore and not getting many opportunities for them over the last few years, he's been just a welcoming surprise in a Mets uniform. Stewart is hitting .264 on the season with 11 long balls and 26 RBI. Stewart has also looked impressive playing right field in the absence of Starling Marte. He's also had a nice month of September so far hitting two long balls with eight runs batted during the month.
There can definitely be a chance we see Stewart playing either at the designated hitter position or in the outfield too. Stewart thanks to his good month of September so far and his great season all together in a Mets uniform has exceeded expectations and deserves a spot on the Mets roster in 2024.
2) Ronny Mauricio has earned his NY Mets roster spot for next year
When reports came out that the Mets were finally going to call up top prospect Ronny Mauricio, Mets fans finally had something to cheer about for the last month of the season. And ever since he's arrived, he's been everything the Mets could have hoped for. Both offensively and defensively, Mauricio is looking a star in the making and there's no question he deserves a roster spot in 2024.
Ever since his first plate against the Seattle Mariners on September 1 where he hit a rocket that went over Mariners right fielder Teoscar Hernandez for a double, the Mets and Mets fans knew that there was something special in Mauricio. In the month of September so far, he's batting .315, he's driven in seven runs and has had a base hit in 12 of the 15 games in the month so far.
And if that's not enough, Mauricio also has six stolen bases on the season with his electric speed. The Mets have to be thrilled with what they have in Mauricio so far. He is the exact kind of player the Mets need for the future. He's got a great bat, a nice glove, and has electric speed. In a lost season for the Mets in 2023, he's given this team a spark and hope for the Mets in 2024 that they can be back in contention in the ultra-competitive NL East.
3) Joey Lucchesi has earned his NY Mets roster spot for next year
Mets starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi has had an up and down tenure for the New York Mets since he arrived in 2021. Whether it's injuries or simply not pitching well on the mound, he's had a hard time finding sustained success which always results in him being in the minor leagues. But in his limited action this year whether it's the bullpen or as a starter, he's been a welcoming surprise. He should have a roster spot next year in the rotation
In his seven games pitched, the 30-year-old has a 3-0 record with an ERA of 2.88 in 35 innings pitched. Sure his time with the Mets in 2023 has not been a huge sample size, but when he has pitched for New York this year, he's been a very nice surprise. He's also done a nice job limiting the home run ball this year only giving up four all season and just 11 runs total.
I'm not saying he's going to be an ace by any stretch, but with so many questions about the Mets rotation heading into the offseason with the departures of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander near the trading deadline, Lucchessi could be a reliable option. When he's pitched in the big leagues this year, he's solid especially over his last three starts in particular going five innings or more in these starts. Lucchessi pitching for the Mets in 2024 is not out of the question.