3 top Mets prospects bound for different positions in the major leagues

NY Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio has a direct path to second base

It’s hard to imagine a long-term plan for the Mets to continue having Francisco Lindor at shortstop and Jeff McNeil at second base. Everything seems to suggest the team is eager to trade the latter before Opening Day 2022. If they can’t, maybe the pair can hug and make up again for good and see if they can work things out.

In the end, I don’t think this is what the organization has planned up the middle. If shortstop prospect Ronny Mauricio stays with the organization, he’s the clear candidate to pair with Lindor up the middle.

Mauricio’s bat hasn’t been as dazzling as Baty’s or Viento’s thus far in his professional career. Last season, he did manage to find his power stroke. It’s a positive sign.

Unfortunately, it did come with only a .248/.296/.449 slash line and more than a strikeout per game. There are parts of his game that still need improvement. If the team continues to have faith in him, second base seems like the most logical place to plug him in.

Mauricio has yet to play any position other than shortstop in the minor leagues but that should change in 2022. Lindor isn’t going anywhere. Teaching Mauricio some other infield positions, or even the outfield, is something the Mets need to do. Second base would be far more preferred than center field given the presence of Starling Marte and the much easier learning curve. It seems the Mets always have the idea of turning a young shortstop into a center fielder—see Amed Rosario as an example. Instead of undertaking that large task, let’s go the easier route and move him to the other side of the infield.