Ronny Mauricio

Ronny Mauricio
Mauricio with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2021
New York Mets – No. 10
Shortstop
Born: (2001-04-04) April 4, 2001 (age 23)
San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2023, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through 2023)
Batting average.247
Home runs2
Runs batted in9
Teams

Ronny Mauricio (born April 4, 2001) is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.

Career

Mauricio signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent in July 2017[1] and received a signing bonus of $2.1 million (equivalent to $2.6 million in 2023), a team record.[2] He spent his first professional season in 2018 with the Gulf Coast Mets and Kingsport Mets, slashing .273/.304/.410 with three home runs and 35 RBIs over 57 games.[3]

Mauricio spent 2019 with the Columbia Fireflies with whom he was named a South Atlantic League All-Star.[4][5] Over 116 games, he batted .268/.307/.357 with four home runs and 37 RBIs. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

In 2021, Mauricio split the season between the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, slashing .248/.296/.449 with twenty home runs, 64 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases over 108 games.[7][8][9] He was selected to the 40-man roster following the season on November 19, 2021.[10]

Mauricio was optioned to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets to begin the 2023 season.[11] In 116 games for the Triple–A Syracuse Mets, he batted .292/.346/.506 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI, and 24 stolen bases.

On September 1, 2023, Mauricio was promoted to the major leagues for the first time and made his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners.[12] Mauricio's first Major League career hit was a double to right field off pitcher Logan Gilbert. It was struck so solidly (117.3 MPH) off the bat that it was the hardest-hit ball by a Mets player in more than two years. It was also the hardest-hit first career hit by any player to debut since Statcast began tracking balls in 2015. The prior record was held by Luis Robert Jr. at 115.8 MPH.[13] On September 12, Mauricio hit his first Major League home run, clocking in at 112.4 MPH off the bat, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 2-run, 440-foot blast deep to right field was off of pitcher Ryne Nelson, leading the Mets to a 7–4 victory.[14] In 26 games for the Mets in his debut campaign, he batted .248/.296/.347 with 2 home runs, 9 RBI, and 7 stolen bases.

Before the 2023 offseason, the Mets asked Mauricio not to play in the Dominican Winter League and to rest instead. It was later reported that Mauricio was in dire financial straits and could not afford not to play.[15] On December 12, 2023, it was announced that Mauricio had suffered a torn ACL while playing for the Tigres del Licey.[16]

References

  1. ^ Norris, Josh (July 20, 2018). "Ronny Mauricio Keeps Impressing On New York Mets GCL Team". Baseball America.
  2. ^ Gómez, Manuel (January 12, 2024). "Mets prospect who got $2.1 million ignored bosses' pleas because he's broke, report says". NJ.com. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Ronny Mauricio, NY Mets prospect, impressed in professional debut". Northjersey.com. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Dearing, Chris (April 19, 2019). "Mets' top prospect Ronny Mauricio drawing high praise for play with Columbia Fireflies". The State. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  5. ^ "MiLB Article | Fireflies". www.milb.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019.
  6. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Cancelled".
  7. ^ Puma, Mike (February 9, 2022). "Mets Shortstop Ronny Mauricio Reaches Next Level". www.baseballamerica.com.
  8. ^ "Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio has bright future but uncertain position". Newsday. March 21, 2022.
  9. ^ Toscano, Justin. "NY Mets prospects: Here's the latest on Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and others". North Jersey Media Group.
  10. ^ "Mets' Ronny Mauricio: Shielded from Rule 5 draft". November 20, 2021.
  11. ^ "Mets' Ronny Mauricio: Optioned to Triple-A Syracuse". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  12. ^ "Mets call up hard-hitting prospect Ronny Mauricio for major-league debut, hits ninth vs. Mariners". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  13. ^ "Mauricio's 117 MPH double highlights winning MLB debut". MLB.com.
  14. ^ Martin, Dan (September 12, 2023). "Ronny Mauricio belts first major league homer in Mets' win over Diamondbacks". nypost.com. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Puma, Mike (January 12, 2024). "Why Mets' Ronny Mauricio played winter ball before ACL injury". New York Post. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  16. ^ DiComo, Anthony. "Mets' Ronny Mauricio will need surgery after tearing ACL". MLB.com. Retrieved December 21, 2023.