Ronny Mauricio. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

With 14 games remaining in a rather forgettable 2023 campaign, the New York Mets are two losses away from being unable to reach a .500 season. But all is not lost as New York has an eye on 2024 and beyond, as Ronny Mauricio has continued to impress since being promoted from Triple-A Syracuse earlier this month.

Though it came in a 3-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, Mauricio went 2-for-4 with an RBI. After making his first career error in the field on Friday, the Mets have continued to give the 22-year-old Mauricio an extended look at third base. Of course, that’s with Brett Baty sidelined with a groin injury, but the Mets’ top prospect seemed to hold his own at the hot corner after a shaky debut.

Mauricio got the scoring starting in the home half of the first, as he ripped the first pitch he saw and deposited it into left field for a single. The ball traveled 305 feet and had an exit velocity of 94.7 mph off the bat, as Mauricio just continued to mash the ball at the next level.

Two innings later, Mauricio added his second single of Saturday’s game, as he went down and got a 2-1 sweeper for an infield single. He immediately got himself in scoring position, as he stole second (his fifth stolen base of the season) and set the table for Jeff McNeil and Mark Vientos.

Unfortunately, neither one of them was able to drive in Francisco Lindor nor Mauricio, but it just goes to show that he can be a threat from anywhere in the order. The Mets had Mauricio in the No. 5 hole Saturday and he created multiple RBI opportunities from those behind him.

Mauricio grounded into a force out in the bottom of the fifth. The silver lining? An exit velocity of 101.8 mph. While he struck out in his final at-bat, he made some nifty plays in the field, including a diving stop over at third base, which drew some praise from his manager. 

“He’s made some plays that not every third baseman will be able to make because of his arm strength,” Buck Showalter said of Mauricio. “I think he’s capable of representing himself well at all three [positions] in the infield.”

The word on Mauricio is he was a player without a position, and the Mets have given him an extended look at both second and third base. While he won’t be winning a Gold Glove at either position anytime soon, he’s seemingly held his own, which is all New York can ask for as it determines if its bat can be of any contribution come next season. 

With only 14 games remaining, it isn’t exactly a fair sample size to give Mauricio a proper evaluation, but so far, every indication is that he belongs at this level. Hopefully, for the Mets’ sake, his whole body of work in September gives them some solace in a lost season. Perhaps Mauricio can be a contributor next year for a team that desperately needs some offensive spark.