What a monster spring could mean for Ronny Mauricio this season

Practically from out of nowhere, New York Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio is developing into a legitimate power hitter. He’s hitting absolute bombs this spring that could take down a spy balloon from any nation. After just 3 home runs in 2018 and another 4 in 2019, Mauricio exploded for 20 in 2021 and another 26 in 2022. He has started off this spring with a few more.

Mauricio has been somewhat forgotten in the farm system. The rise of Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty in the years since he first landed on the radar has pushed him aside. The trade and extension with Francisco Lindor made him expendable but maybe not if he’s going to crush baseballs with no mercy.

A monster spring for Mauricio is exactly what he needs to get back in the picture and become a serious candidate to see MLB action this year.

Why the NY Mets could find space for Ronny Mauricio this season

Defense hasn’t been a major strength for Mauricio in the minors. Unlike so many of his prospect colleagues, he’s already playing a difficult position at shortstop. A change of positions is a natural direction for him to eventually head. Third base might come easily for Mauricio after spending most of his professional career as a shortstop.

Along with improving his power, Mauricio has started to steal bases more frequently on the farm, too. He had a classic 20/20/20 campaign in Binghamton last year. His 26 doubles, 26 home runs, and 20 stolen bases showed a mix of power to the gap, over the fence, and on the bases. Mauricio is quicker than many of those other prospects we could see regularly on the MLB roster this season. Even though he has yet to play the outfield in the minor leagues, it’s a place we should see the Mets begin to place him.

On the 2023 team, Mauricio isn’t going to overtake anyone to start regularly. Later in the year, if all goes well, he’s actually one of the best choices to fill out the bench. In what will at some point be the Danny Mendick role, Mauricio could thrive early on.

Because the front office has been overly cautious about promoting prospects, a more perfect situation than even Rivers Cuomo would sing about needs to occur. The Mets need to be short on bodies for Mauricio to pass over so many others. His advantage over non-catchers like Baty and Vientos is the possibility of being able to play shortstop and second base. Anything they can do with their glove, he can do, too.

It’s an exciting time to follow the Mets. Mauricio is buried behind a bunch of major leaguers and even some prospects fighting for playing time. He has been impressive thus far this spring. With each bomb, he gets a little closer to the front of our consciousness.