The New York Mets are looking into the option of bringing up two of their best Triple-A prospects to energize an offense that has hit some hard times in recent weeks.
To start the season, the New York Mets were able to battle through their injury issues in the rotation and bullpen with the help of their talented lineup. However, that group has started to sputter and falter in recent weeks. Now, the team that was near the front of the National
League East pack is a game under .500 heading into the start of their series against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.
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Unfortunately for the New York Mets, it is too early in the season to find a boost to their offense on the trade block. That is why general managers Billy Eppler is considering turning to their minor league system to bring their lineup some life.
New York Mets (2023): 17-18
Infielders Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio have been on fire this season for the team’s Triple-A team in Syracuse. And it seems that Eppler is sending new special assistant Carlos Beltran to their next game to see if they need to be promoted and if it would be in the players’ best interest long-term.
“I’m talking to our Triple-A staff or our coordinator staff as [Vientos and Mauricio] go through Syracuse. I actually talked to Beltran last night, going to send him through there right now too. You want to look at all of the objectives and all of the things that drive the player plan and what you need to see from the player.
“There’s also some other things that kind of come into the calculus, you know, how much can you play the guy, what kind of usage, what kind of roles would you have for him at the major league level. And you’re trying to balance that with some loss development opportunity if they’re not going to play all that much. It’s just something that’s definitely on our radar and something we’re thinking about. I just wait for the feedback from the group as they go through Syracuse.”
– Billy eppler [h/t Sports Illustrated]
Vientos and Mauricio are both ranked among the top 10 players in the New York Mets farm system currently. The top two players on that list are Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty. The later talent has played well of late in his second chance in the majors after seeing his first run end early due to injury last season. Alvarez has had some growing pains in an extended return in 2023 after being a September call-up last year. He is seen as one of the best prospects in all of baseball.
Vientos, who struggled in his 16 games with the New York Mets last season, is currently hitting .354/.431/.717 with a 1.148 OPS, nine home runs, and 26 RBI in 27 games at Triple-A this season. While Mauricio has as .342/.377/.605 slash line with a .982 OPS, six home runs, 10 doubles, and 17 RBI in 29 games in Syracuse.
Vientos could serve as part of a DH platoon if called up, while Mauricio — a shortstop by trade — would play second at the big league level.