Mauricio Misses Call Up After Trade Deadline
The New York Mets had an organization-altering trade deadline this season, opting to trade future hall-of-fame pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, while also trading rental pieces in Tommy Pham, Mark Canha, and David Robertson.
With their eyes set on selling, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Mets preemptively brought several minor leaguers to Kansas City with them, but did not include Ronny Mauricio.
Ronny Mauricio, Photo by Richard Nelson
Eyes have been on Mauricio this season after the 22-year-old hit four home runs during an impressive spring training. The switch hitter has lived up to the preseason hype, and is slashing .293/.343/.492/.835 with 16 home runs in 92 games.
It is somewhat shocking that Mauricio wasn’t given an opportunity to play after the Mets traded away Canha and Pham to contending teams, but according to Tim Healy of Newsday, the Mets did not view Mauricio as “particularly” ready for the majors.
Instead, the Mets selected the contract of Rafael Ortega and recalled John Curtiss, Michael Pérez, and Josh Walker after the trade deadline. Ortega was immediately plugged into left field on Tuesday against the Royals, while Curtiss and Walker joined the bullpen as reinforcements.
Ronny Mauricio with a double off Chris Sale.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) August 1, 2023
Meanwhile, the decision to leave Mauricio behind in Syracuse may be linked to his defense. Mauricio’s natural position is blocked by Francisco Lindor, forcing the Mets to find another position for the top prospect. The two main positions that the organization has tried Mauricio at are left field and second base, but he has struggled at both. In 363 1/3 innings at second base, Mauricio has nine errors, and in 166 1/3 innings in left field, he has three.
Despite not having a position on the diamond, Mauricio should get a chance in the majors this season. Players such as DJ Stewart and Danny Mendick are not a part of the Mets’ future, and both of them are playing positions Mauricio could plug into. Plus, Andy Martino of SNY recently spoke on the Mets Off Day show stating Mauricio was “the last guy up” and that he expected to see him with the club in the last two months of the season.
Down At The Farm
The Syracuse Mets tweeted that Eric Orze was making a spot start on August 1 for the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate. In that same tweet, Syracuse confirmed that José Butto, the original starter for Tuesday’s game, was with the Mets’ trade deadline taxi squad in Kansas City.
The Mets currently do not have a starter slated for Thursday’s start and could call upon Butto to make a spot start. The right-hander was solid for the Mets earlier in the 2023 season and pitched to a 3.00 ERA in two spot starts.
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