Biography:
Born in the Dominican Republic in April of 2001, Ronny Mauricio is just old enough to drink in the US and yet many fans think his prospect star has fallen to earth. Mauricio signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent in July 2017.
Resume:
Mauricio surged to relevance in 2018 when he made his minor league debut for the GCL and later APP Mets. At the age of 17, Mauricio held his own in the minor leagues against older prospects showing some immediate promise in his speed.
In 2019 he was assigned to the South Atlantic League (where power went to die) and he performed as well as expected. His power numbers took a hit and he showed little ability to take a walk but he was able to make relatively consistent contact and still hit the ball with authority.
After the lost season of 2020 Mauricio would be assigned to Brooklyn and show fans how much power potential he really had. He was good enough in Advanced A to earn a late season promotion to AA where the power numbers held true. The problem, as Met fans will all know, is that his weaknesses were also showing themselves. Mauricio struck out more than once per game and still showed no ability to draw a walk.
This past season people hoped he’d break through and suddenly be a hitter who did it all. Despite hitting 26 home runs and stealing 20 bases, his 125 Ks in 123 games are all that critics can see. To make things worse, he only walked 24 times. All of this being said, his OPS of .768 is pretty darned impressive.
Recently, Mauricio played in the Dominican Winter Leagues for the Tigres de Licey. He had a truly phenomenal short season here on his way to winning the league’s MVP award. His ultimate scouting report doesn’t change exponentially, despite this showing but does suggest a profile closer to Javier Baez or Alfonso Soriano than his 2022 year in Binghamton had.
Hitting:
Contact:
Having seen Mauricio at bat in person he has plenty of “swinger” to him. He takes big ugly hacks at the ball and seems to approach some at bats oddly, falling behind in counts in ways that almost appear to be on purpose. Most times though, his swing is quick and the ball explodes off his bat. Having no ability to walk will always make his OBP a pathetic 30-50 points higher than his batting average but his BA should remain above .250 as he knows how to make contact.
Power:
The power is there and cannot be ignored. Other than his year with Columbus, he’s had a SLG above .400 and looks to have the makings of a 30 home run hitter.
Speed:
Mauricio is quick but a little too tall to be a natural base stealer. He runs the bases well and stole 20 bags in 2022 but I don’t think he ever steals that many in the majors. Instead, I think fans would enjoy his speed when the ball is hit in play and how quickly he can round the bases.
Fielding:
Mauricio is 6’3” and still playing shortstop but he’s not playing shortstop well. Mauricio had a horrendous .936 fielding percentage at the position and it falls well in the heart of where he’s projected. The Mets need to move Mauricio to the outfield and should have probably done that years ago.
Outlook:
As has been mentioned, Mauricio’s ideal development track has him eventually profiling as a free swinging player like Baez or Soriano. He has a basket full of offensive weapons and one glaring flaw but enough offensive upside to be a major asset to a team. He has the raw speed to play center field or the arm to fit into right but the Mets should have begun that transition years ago. With the moves the Mets have made (Carlos Correa is pending at this time) it seems the AAA lineup will have multiple players learning new roles. Mauricio could split time between second base and the outfield but the outfield seems ultimately the best spot for his future.
Mauricio looks like he could be a fun player. Kind of reminds me of Amed Rosario with a little more pop. But, on a championship caliber team, I don’t really see a fit.
Rosario was a more complete hitter, played better defense and had far less power.
Mauricio could very much be a .240 hitter with 30 home runs and 15 stolen bases at the major league level. He will also likely have at least 1 K per game played.
I can see him being traded soon.
Yes, the DWL MVP award does crank up his value but it’s hard to see how the Mets might move him just now. Unless a team will trade prospect for prospect (super rare) the Mets will probably hold Mauricio until the trade deadline and see where a hole has developed.
If his value is higher as it is now, he could be a good piece to meet a need, especially for a good fourth outfielder.
That’s a distinctly terrible return for a prospect of this caliber. If the Mets want a deal like this, another team would surely make it.
What I mean by the fourth outfielder is one that puts Canha on the bench.
That’s a horse of a different color. That would be trading Mauricio for a starting outfielder with a WAR above 2.5 and that likely means as part of a package. I could see the Mets doing this at the deadline but not before the season.
Whatever you do,don’t trade Mauricio!
There is middle ground between trading Mauricio for a fourth outfielder and treating him like an untouchable prospect. This is a player who can get the Mets what they potentially need at the deadline, especially if they find a position he can play.
Brady Singer (KCR) for Mauricio and Megill or something like that.
That’s a pretty good sweet spot of an offer but I still don’t see the best time to trade Mauricio as now.
Mauricio looks like a great prospect but not even AAA ready. But you have to like the talents that he has and the excitement he could cause in lengthening a line up. It was correctly said that he should have been moved to the OF a long time ago especially when you look back and realize his SS position was blocked by the two guys we traded for Lindor. Hoping new management is also better handling the players down on the farms. In their defense, the rapid changes paid for by our most favorite Uncle Steve made for the need to reshuffle existing plans. Let’s hang on to this kid.
Thanks for reading,
Your statement of not being AAA ready is wrong. Based only on his performance in AA he is definitely ready to begin his 2023 (age 22) campaign at AAA. His performance in the DWL suggests that he’s more than ready.
Thanks, Dave for your thorough analysis of Mauricio and the other top prospects in the Mets system. I’m looking forward to your deep dive on Jett Williams.
Guess who’s up next
I would refrain from dealing Mauricio unless a deal presents itself to acquire a player that will be controlled long term. Despite Daddy Warbucks, the Mets still need quality players to fill MLB positions at low cost. The range of outcomes is still pretty wide with Mauricio, but he is clearly very talented. If he can up his game to potential MLB all star level he will be a great asset…and there is no need to rush him.
Mauricio is only 21 years old. He is showing so much potential. Give him an outfielders glove and he can center field. If the right trade comes up, then of course trade him. The Mets are weak in young, top of the rotation, starting pitchers and they are hard to come by. That is the kind of deal that Mauricio should be included in. David, I’m enjoying the deep dives.
Totally agree and yes, thanks David for the insight!
I’m not opposed to trading Mauricio yet my hope is that we get to see him wear a Mets uniform.