With the 2023 season winding down, there’s the good, the bad, and the ugly to reflect on. While some may see more bad than good because of where the Mets currently sit in the standings, plenty of positives came out of the year. It was a revolving door year of rookies galore, with the core four of Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos finally taking the field together. Not to mention José Butto making a case for being part of the rotation in 2024 and Kodai Senga knocking on doors to be part of the Cy Young conversation.

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Below I examine how some key rookies who just broke the major league roster this year but found themselves shuffled back and forth between Syracuse and Queens might factor into the Mets 2024 plans.

RONNY MAURICIO

Mauricio might be the hottest-hitting Mets rookie in recent memory. Since his September 1 call-up, the utility player is hitting .261/.311/.348 through 18 games with 18 hits, six stolen bases, and one home run. What’s been most impressive about Mauricio thus far is his ability to get on base via the hit. He didn’t collect a hit in just three of his first 15 games.

While there was concern about his defense and bat-to-ball skills, Mauricio has put those concerns to bed. In his first major league hit, he hit a scorching 117.3 MPH double, the hardest hit ball for the Mets this year. He’s played second and third base and has looked comfortable at each. Some wonder if he may overthrow Baty at third and find a permanent home there. The biggest concern with Mauricio was always finding a position in the field for him. However, with the way he’s been hitting, it would be hard not to play him every day in 2024.

FRANCISCO ÁLVAREZ

Probably the most hyped prospect before the season even started, Álvarez has been just about as advertised since making his debut. With his 23 home runs so far, he’s just three away from tying Johnny Bench for most home runs by a catcher in his age-21 season. His defense has been what has impressed and surprised the most. According to MLB Statcast, Álvarez ranks third in framing, just behind Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges.

Álvarez will be the opening-day catcher in 2024. He has gone through some hot and cold stretches in his 2023 campaign, but his chase rate is down from last year. In 2022, he swung at 50.8% of pitches but only 44.8% of pitches this year.

MARK VIENTOS

Vientos struggled in his first couple cups of coffee with the Mets, but as of late, he’s finally starting to find his footing with the big-league team. Since September 13, he’s slashing .282/.300/.590 with eleven hits, four home runs, and seven RBIs. For the season, he’s hitting .222/.261/.381 with 43 hits, eight home runs and 20 RBIs. He hit the injured list with wrist tendonitis in late August but returned with a vengeance as a DH and third baseman.

With Daniel Vogelbach in the final year of his contract, Vientos could fit in nicely as the primary designated hitter in 2024. He’s hit left-handed and right-handed pitching about the same, with a .627 OPS against righties and a .670 OPS against lefties. Vientos has always needed playing time and now that he’s been given a chance, the results are rolling in. If given the opportunity to play every day in 2024, it’s hard not to imagine the same results.

BRETT BATY

Baty’s case is the most up in the air for 2024. After his 2022 campaign was cut short due to a torn ligament in his thumb, Baty found himself jumping between Queens and Syracuse in 2023. He still couldn’t find his footing with the Mets, even after winning the third base role after Eduardo Escobar was traded to the Angels. In 2023, he’s hit .213/.281/.330 in 100 games with 69 hits, nine home runs and 32 RBIs. What’s more startling is his -0.8 WAR and 68 OPS+.

With the emergence of Mauricio and Vientos starting to hit, Baty’s place on the Mets roster in 2024 feels shaky right now. Baty, however, has had recent success and is 3-for-12 with two homers in his last three games, including a game-tying homer in the ninth on Friday night against the Phillies.

JOSÉ BUTTO

Butto’s name barely came up this past offseason primarily due to former co-ace’s Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander stealing the spotlight. Since rejoining the Mets in August, Butto has pitched to an impressive 3.09 ERA in 32 innings, allowing 24 hits, eleven earned runs, and punching out 29 batters. His 2023 record is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA in seven games, five of them started.

Before August, Butto’s outings have been spotty at best, but since he’s been playing consistently, there is real talk about him being a contender for a back-end rotation job in 2024. He holds two minor league options, something the Mets hold valuable, and as they know, they can never have enough pitching depth. However, if Butto continues to deliver starts like he has been and has a strong spring, he can begin his season in Flushing.