The Mets are showing faith, or at least some curiosity, in these players this spring

The World Baseball Classic has opened up an opportunity for a few players lower on the New York Mets totem pole to play a little bit more. Even before Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and others left for the WBC, the Mets were giving chances for others to play and at least showcase what they have to offer.

While easing in several regulars, the team has shown a ton of faith in some other players whose roles on the 2023 season may never come to fruition. A prospect and a pair of offseason additions are seeing a lot of action this spring. The only conclusion: the Mets want to learn more about them.

1) The NY Mets are showing they have plans for Ronny Mauricio

Ronny Mauricio is one of two Mets prospects who have been around for a while whose futures seem uncertain. What do the Mets do with him? He’s a shortstop blocked by Francisco Lindor. Second base is occupied by Jeff McNeil. Brett Baty is already ahead of him in contention for the third base job.

Regular action this spring has given the team a closer look at how Mauricio can handle himself against a mix of fringe-MLB players and some guaranteed to play in the majors this season. Some big early home runs caught our attention immediately. All that remains is what the team should eventually do with him.

This season needs to be the one where the Mets try Mauricio out at positions other than shortstop. It’s not an impossibility for him to end up as the starting third baseman over Baty. Baty has already been a consideration for a left field job instead. Mauricio may even end up in the outfield instead. The one conclusion the Mets should come to is that they need to have a few uses for Mauricio.

An increase in power has made Mauricio more than another shortstop prospect to bat in the bottom of the order and be serviceable. He is a little too far down the depth chart for significant action this year. The next few months should be about figuring out where he fits into the puzzle, whether it’s in Queens or as trade bait.

3) The NY Mets have a curiosity about Lorenzo Cedrola

Lorenzo Cedrola has been another regular for the Mets this spring. In the absence of Starling Marte at the start and Brandon Nimmo’s delayed debut, the team has turned to this 25-year-old for help.

Cedrola hasn’t been amazing. He looks more like a fifth outfielder to carry later on in the year. Before the Mets are finally ready to promote Tim Locastro for good, it’s Cedrola who could play the role of speedster off the bench.

Cedrola has been a pretty good hitter in the minors. Through 2707 plate appearances, he’s slashing .291/.341/.392. Listed at 5’8 and 152 pounds, he’s a slight-framed outfielder I could envision the Mets having plans to make their outfield version of Luis Guillorme.

Although his overall minor league numbers are strong, Cedrola has seen the offense drop at the Triple-A level. His ability to play center field will continue to make him an asset for the Mets. There is no rush to get him to the major leagues. What we’ve seen from him this spring pretty much confirms his place within the organization.

We’ll need to see some better numbers out of Cedrola for him to become a real option for the major league roster this year. Between Locastro, Abraham Almonte, and the more offensively proven DJ Stewart, curiosity might not be enough for Cedrola to wear a New York Mets uniform after March.