MLB Rumors: Mets ask Ronny Mauricio to switch positions
New York Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio is essentially position-less.
A shortstop by trade, Mauricio doesn’t have a clear path to the major leagues thanks to Francisco Lindor, so New York has been experimenting with the young prospect at various positions. Left field was a thought for a time, and though Mauricio adapted well there, by no means was he a sure bet in a corner outfield spot.
Third base is the Mets latest attempt to find a regular position for Mauricio, despite already having Brett Baty and Mark Vientos — two fellow prospects — who play the same position. Baty was recently sent down in the midst of a killer slump, and he could be asked to move positions as well. Vientos started for New York with Baty out.
Questions persist about Mauricio, as he has struggled of late. He’ll need to succeed at Triple-A Syracuse if he wants a call to the big leagues this season. Jon Heyman of the New York Post outlined Mauricio’s struggles quite well:
"“Mauricio, entering Friday, was hitting .230 with a .745 OPS over his last 100 plate appearances. In many seasons that might be enough for a glass-half-full outlook, but it doesn’t pass muster in a year of Triple-A offensive explosion. Also, Mauricio’s strikeout rate over those 100 plate appearances was 25 percent. For the first three months of the season, he was at 16 percent.”"
Add in some questions about Mauricio’s defense, and it’s easy to understand why the Mets might be cautious. If third base isn’t the answer, we’re not sure what is.