Mets Rumors: Ronny Mauricio, NY's No. 4 Prospect, to Be Called Up When Rosters Expand

As the New York Mets continue to focus their attention on 2024 and beyond, the team is going to get a look at Ronny Mauricio for the final month of the regular season.

Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are calling up the versatile infield prospect when rosters expand on Friday.

Mauricio is the team's fourth-ranked prospect and No. 91 overall prospect in Major League Baseball, per MLB.com.

It's not clear at this point if the Mets will try to slot in Mauricio at one position or move him around the diamond as needed.

The 22-year-old has spent time at second base, shortstop and left field in the minors. Francisco Lindor's presence at shortstop likely makes that position unavailable to him.

Jeff McNeil has primarily played second base, but he's capable of playing either corner outfield position.

The Athletic's Keith Law, who has Mauricio ranked as the 29th-best prospect in MLB, noted second base or left field "could be a long-term home" for him because his contact rates and power will make him at least a regular at either spot.

Law also cited Alfonso Soriano as a good comp for Mauricio's offensive skill set because he has "plus power from his wrists and forearms" that allows him to drive the ball with authority even when he doesn't square it up.

The Mets originally signed Mauricio as an international free agent in July 2017. His $2.1 million signing bonus was a franchise record at the time for a player during the international free-agent period.

Mauricio has spent the entire 2023 season at Triple-A Syracuse. He is hitting .292/.346/.506 with 23 homers, 71 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 116 games.

After trading away key players like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, David Robertson and Mark Canha before the Aug. 1 deadline, the Mets signaled they were turning their attention to next season.

Bringing up Mauricio for a one-month run in the big leagues at the end of this season will give them some idea of his readiness for this level in 2024. He also gives Mets fans something to watch for a few weeks in what has otherwise been a frustrating and disappointing 2023.