New York Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio will not serve as the complete answer. With a team mired in a 12-game losing streak, attention also shifts to the long term. With a manager with one year remaining on his contract and a fanbase angry as the wins pile up, Mauricio may not be the complete solution but could be a small change needed to help the major league ballclub. New York Post columnist Christian Arnold discussed Mauricio’s return to Syracuse and how that could help the Mets.
“If only he were doing this in Queens. Ronny Mauricio had a three-home run night for the Syracuse Mets on Tuesday in a 12-3 road win over the Worcester Red Sox. The three-homer night by Mauricio was the 17th time in franchise history a Syracuse player has done it. It has continued Mauricio’s strong start to the minor league season. ”
To this point, Mauricio has slashed .362/.685/1.047 with six home runs and 13 runs batted in. In all honesty, the Mets’ history teems with what people call “Four-A talents”: players who excel in the minors, peak in Triple-A, but struggle in the majors. From Steve Chilcott to Shawn Abner and beyond. Yet, at 25, Mauricio can still help a team that sports a .222 average and just 75 runs scored. Why is he still down on Syracuse?
Getty
Either Manager Choice or Organizational Decision Keeps Mauricio in Triple-A
With a .307 average and 37 home runs at Triple-A, the infielder appears like nothing is left for him to accomplish at that level. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, long considered a talent developer, wants to cultivate his minor leaguers.
Remember, he traded Jett Williams as the centerpiece of the deal to acquire pitcher Freddy Peralta. On top of that, to bring centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. to Queens, he sent Luisangel Acuna. Both moves and his residence on the 40-man roster.
Yet, manager Carlos Mendoza seems rather enthralled with keeping Brett Baty and Mark Vientos around the major league roster. The duo recorded a combined two home runs, 13 runs batted in, and 34 strikeouts. Mauricio can play every position in the infield, with the exception of first base. However, he does possess better hands and quickness in the field than either Baty or Vientos, making him a potential upgrade at the position.
On April 13, the Mets demoted Mauricio in favor of veteran outfielder Tommy Pham, who currently does not have a hit in eight at-bats. Mauricio even boasts a game-winning hit. In essence, he is personally responsible for 14.2% of the team’s victories. Either that speaks highly of him or poorly about the franchise.
GettyMets infielder Ronny Mauricio
Mauricio Holds a Small Solution to a Massive Problem
After Devin Williams’ late-inning implosion, the Mets still need to address not only the losing streak but also the absence of offense and the apparent lack of team chemistry. Granted, he will probably not provide either the star power or name recognition of his most famous teammates.
However, the Mets need versatile players with pop that can give the back end of their lineup some life. Basically, Mauricio could provide the spark the team desperately lacks and needs to rally behind. In all honesty, what could it hurt?
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Mets Encouraged to Capitalize on Farmhand’s ‘Strong’ Performance appeared first on Heavy Sports.