5 minor league outfielders contending for a 40-man roster spot

Feb 23, 2023; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Tim Locastro poses for a picture
Feb 23, 2023; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Tim Locastro poses for a picture / Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
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3) NY Mets outfielder contending for a 40-man roster spot: Jaylin Davis

The newest free agent signing the Mets have brought in to contend for a spot is Jaylin Davis. In 95 plate appearances at the big league level, he’s a .207/.274/.299 hitter. Younger but also out of minor league options, Davis is someone the Mets should hope can catch fire.

Davis’ early minor league career numbers are actually pretty good. The 2019 season, in particular, includes an eye-popping 35 home runs and .306 batting average. The juiced baseballs may be a reason for this. He hit .230 with 11 home runs in 2021 and .215 with only 9 in 2022.

Davis seems to fit the “warm body with MLB experience” description. The Mets certainly have other outfielders in the system they could look at. Many of them, however, are left-handed hitters. Davis bats right-handed. Quinn Brodey, Carlos Cortes, and Zach Ashford are all left-handed hitters. So is Khalil Lee whose time with the Mets is in limbo right now.

We can look at Davis as someone the Mets hope they never have to use but will have ready to promote and DFA if needed. Locastro is a fit for later in the year. Almonte is someone the Mets would keep around for weeks or months. Davis is the kind of player that, unless he excels in the minors, will fill a roster spot and maybe not see any action at all.