NEW YORK — The New York Mets have elevated highly-regarded infield prospect Ronny Mauricio from the minor leagues to the big league team. This move comes after the team’s third baseman, Mark Vientos, suffered a right hamstring strain during Monday night’s victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which led to Vientos being placed on the 10-day injured list.
Mauricio was brought into the starting lineup occupying third base for the matchup against the Dodgers’ star pitcher Clayton Kershaw. During his stint on the field, Mauricio faced a challenging start, ending the game hitless in four at-bats, which included a strikeout, as the Mets were defeated 6-5 in 10 innings.
In the clubhouse prior to the game, Mauricio expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m feeling great. I’m the same person I was before my surgeries.” For several years, Mauricio has been considered one of the top 100 prospects in baseball and a crown jewel of the Mets organization. He debuted in the majors in September 2023, recording a batting average of .248 with two home runs, nine RBIs, and seven stolen bases over 26 games.
Unfortunately, during a winter ball session in the Dominican Republic, Mauricio suffered a knee ligament tear that caused him to miss the entire 2024 season as he recovered from multiple surgeries. Reflecting on his recovery period, Mauricio noted that patience was crucial, saying, “None of us wanted to rush that process. There were some setbacks in my recovery. We just wanted to take it slower to make sure everything was right.”
Despite the setbacks, Mauricio found the time away beneficial, allowing him to focus on personal development, including improving his English through online classes. Now back to full health, the 24-year-old has played across three minor league levels this season, completing his rehab and gaining regular game experience. He was removed from the injured list on May 17 and subsequently assigned to Triple-A Syracuse.
In his own words, Maurice feels unchanged as a hitter, apart from possessing more extensive knowledge of the game. His recent performance at Syracuse has been impressive, with a batting average of .515, three home runs, eight RBIs, four steals, and a 1.382 OPS over 39 plate appearances in nine games.
While primarily a shortstop, Mauricio has showcased his versatility by playing multiple positions in both the minors and the majors. In 2023, he participated in 21 major league games at second base and five at third.
Mark Vientos’ injury occurred when he fell while running out a ground ball in the 10th inning against the Dodgers, which led him to clutch his right hamstring. In addition to Mauricio’s call-up, the Mets made several roster adjustments. Right-hander Frankie Montas was reassigned to Triple-A Syracuse for a rehab stint. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell was recalled from Syracuse, while right-hander Max Kranick was sent to Triple-A.