5 Mets storylines to watch in the second half of the season

NY Mets storyline: Who will be next to graduate to the major leagues?

Whether the Mets make the postseason in 2023 or not, it will be a year to remember if only for the emergence of the organization’s next wave of homegrown talent.

Two of the Mets’ top prospects going into the year – Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty – have quickly assumed full-time roles with the big-league team, giving fans hope that a new young core will bring more sustained success. And while they were the headliners, more prospects are knocking at the door.

The most likely candidate for a late season callup is Ronny Mauricio, who was hitting .302 with 39 extra-base hits through 77 games at Triple-A Syracuse. Ranked #2 in MLB.com’s midseason Mets prospects list, the 22-year-old’s last apparent checkpoint in the minor leagues is gaining experience on defense, having spent time at second base, shortstop, and left field this year.

Wherever Mauricio ends up playing, his hitting remains his greatest strength. The Mets will need to maximize his at-bats upon promoting him, even if those come as a designated hitter most of the time.

Other prospects who could get the call back by September include Jose Butto and Mark Vientos, both of whom played sporadically for the Mets in the first half. Like Mauricio, Vientos boasts a power bat, but wasn’t afforded consistent playing time in his previous stint with the Mets. Butto, on the other hand, should get a strong look as a backend starter or bullpen piece after pitching to a 3.00 ERA in three games (two spot starts) earlier in the year.