Through the Mets’ first six spring training games, Ronny Mauricio has been the talk of the town. In his first six at-bats, the Mets’ sixth-ranked prospect had launched two tape-measure home runs. Pinch-hitting in the ninth inning on Wednesday, Mauricio connected for his third home run in just seven at-bats in the Mets’ 8-4 win over the Miami Marlins.

The home run, like the first two, was a no-doubter. The ball traveled 413 feet and had an exit velocity of 105.6 mph. After hitting his first home run 450 feet and now hitting two 413-foot shots, Mauricio is showing off the power that has made him one of the Mets’ most exciting prospects.

After spending all of 2022 in Double-A Binghamton playing shortstop exclusively, Mauricio appeared ticketed for Triple-A Syracuse in 2023. With Francisco Lindor locked in at shortstop for the Mets for the next nine years, he played third base for nine games and a couple at second base during the Dominican Winter League season. On top of adding positional versatility, the 21-year-old took home the league’s MVP award after slashing .287/.335/.468 with five home runs over 46 games.

Mauricio came into this spring with a slim chance to make the Opening Day roster. That likely won’t change as Brett Baty, who has gotten off to a strong start of his own with a home run and four hits in nine at-bats, is ahead of him on the third base depth chart. His Ruthian start has made it more difficult to rule it out entirely.

“He’s like a lot of our young players,” Buck Showalter said following Wednesday’s win. “They’re off to a good start in the spring. I’m proud of him.”

With Lindor departing soon to represent Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, Mauricio should have a legitimate shot to prove himself with extended playing time at shortstop this spring. It is unlikely that he will play himself into being a regular on the left side of the Mets’ infield in 2023, but a strong spring could help the Mets see what they have in Mauricio.