According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the New York Mets are promoting top outfield prospect Nick Morabito. The Mets designated Austin Slater for assignment early Tuesday morning, per John Heyman of the New York Post, opening the roster spot that will now be occupied by Morabito. Slater had struggled mightily since joining the Mets on April 27th, posting a .586 OPS over 20 at-bats.

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Morabtio, 23, was a second-round selection of the Mets in 2022 out of Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC. Known for his contact skills, strong defensive skills in the outfield, and incredible speed, Morabito should fit right into the new identity of the Mets that focuses strongly on speed and defense.

MetsMerized’s prospect rankings had Morabito at 15th overall entering the season, and he becomes the third Top 30 prospect to make their debut this season, with a fourth looming in lefty starter Zach Thornton.

Through 41 games for Triple-A Syracuse, Morabito had posted a .754 OPS with four homers, seven other extra-base hits, and a whopping 21 stolen bases. He has predominantly played center field this year, but can play all three outfield positions and has minimal prior professional experience at second base.

Immediately, Morabito could be a regular fixture in the Mets’ lineup in left field with Juan Soto sliding to the DH spot. Soto has already dealt with an IL stint this year and has been increasingly banged up in recent weeks with a few foul balls off of his lower half, and he could serve to spend less time on the field defensively. If he were to come off the bench, expect Morabito to see time as a platoon option against lefties, a late-inning defensive replacement, and a pinch-running specialist.

If the Mets begin playing Morabito in left, they would immediately employ one of the fastest and best defensive outfields in the game with fellow rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. Benge and Ewing have been catalysts to the Mets’ recent 11-5 stretch, and Morabito joins a growing youth movement on the Mets’ roster.