Photo by Rick Nelson

What happens when an unstoppable force meets a very moveable object? You get the sort of production that Ronny Mauricio has been able to put up in the Dominican Winter League for Tigres del Licey.

Mauricio has been one of the most feared hitters in the LIDOM circuit in 2022, sporting an impressive .322/.357/.508 slash line with 15 extra-base hits and 25 RBI in just 28 games. He has a hit in eight of his last nine games, and he has driven in six runs in his past two games.

Still just 21 years old, Mauricio has shined at every stop along his journey through the Mets’ system, including strong seasons with Brooklyn in 2021 and Binghamton this past year. However, his performance in winter ball is perhaps the most impressive development to date considering the talent pool (current and former MLB players make up a sizable portion of LIDOM rosters) and his marked improvement over an underwhelming .244/.277/.367 slash line in 25 games for Licey last year.

Mauricio has drawn just six walks in those 28 games, and he is still struggling with plate discipline as he has throughout his professional career. That deficiency is far less egregious when he is hitting as well as he has been, but he will likely have to make significant strides in that regard if he wants this success to translate to the major league level.

Additionally, Mauricio’s primary position of shortstop is blocked at the major league level by Francisco Lindor, leading to plenty of speculation about his future within the Mets’ organization. All signs point to him starting the 2023 season with Triple-A Syracuse, meaning the questions about his positional fit with the major league team are only going to intensify as he nears that elusive first call-up to New York.

For now, though, it seems like Mauricio is focusing just on what is in his control, which is tearing the cover off the baseball whenever he steps up to bat. He’s doing a pretty good job in that department.