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.

2) The NY Mets DFA’d William Woods but continue to pitch him

Off the 40-man roster but pitching regularly this spring, we find William Woods. The Mets had to DFA him earlier in the offseason to clear a spot. He passed through waivers and was able to accept an assignment in the minors.

It’s the best case scenario for the Mets who get to keep him and don’t have to have him on their 40-man roster. They’ve been able to add others to the organization in the same class of fringe-major leaguers like Woods.

Before we get too excited about what lies ahead, it’s important to note how Woods performed with the Atlanta Braves on the farm. Previously a starter for a good part of his professional career, he had a terrible 6.04 ERA last year in 25.1 innings of work. He hasn’t pitched a whole lot since getting drafted back in 2018 by Atlanta. A 23rd round selection, it’s kind of amazing for him to even get as far as he has.

Woods has the potential to be someone the Mets put on the backburner for the 2023 season. They have more than enough other players on the 40-man roster already they can turn to for innings.

Still, for him to be among the league leaders in appearances, it shows how interested the Mets are at making the Braves regret making him available on the waiver wire.