Although he’s blocked by Francisco Lindor at the major league level, Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio had spent the entire 2023 season (and his entire minor league career) playing only shortstop. Until today.
Mauricio will start at second base for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, potentially paving the way for an eventual call-up to the Mets.
The move is a long time coming, since there was no path to the bigs for Mauricio unless he learned a position other than shortstop.
He started at second base once in the Dominican Winter League this past offseason, and started at third base nine times while there. But having him do this in the minors is a different animal.
It can be argued that Mauricio should also be learning the outfield, but learning second base is at least a step in the right direction.
If Mauricio is called up at some point this season to play second base, the Mets could get him in the lineup by sliding Jeff McNeil to a corner outfield spot.
Mauricio has been on an absolute tear this season, slashing .358 with a .411 OBP and a ridiculous .761 slugging percentage in 73 plate appearances over 18 games for Syracuse. He has six home runs, seven doubles, one triple, 14 RBI, and 15 runs scored.
The emergence of Mauricio has been the biggest surprise of the Mets’ minor league season.
He always had the tools to be an impact bat, but had struggled to get on base much during his first five minor league seasons, with an OBP right around .300 that was due in large part to him expanding the zone too often.
If Mauricio has truly turned a corner, he could possibly be a powerful, difference-making bat later this season for a lineup that is still in need of more punch.