In the midst of a season not going according to plan, the New York Mets have leaned heavily on their rookies to help them overcome adversity. From right-hander Nolan McLean (2.92 ERA) leading the starting rotation to rookie outfielders A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge producing in the outfield, the Mets’ season (21-26) isn’t too bad.
Since all three rookies mentioned have produced this season, the Mets are rolling the dice on another to give them a jolt, with outfielder Nick Morabito reportedly receiving a call-up to the big leagues. According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, Morabito (Mets No. 11 prospect) will make his debut during the Mets series with the Washington Nationals.
This will be somewhat of a homecoming for Morabito, as he attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC. The 23-year-old was drafted in the second round by the Mets in 2022.
Morabito has performed well at Triple-A Syracuse, batting .253 with a .754 OPS and four home runs. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Morabito had recently broken out of a 0-for-20 stretch, collecting five hits in his last 13 at-bats.
The New York Mets are running with an all-rookie outfield with Nick Morbito’s promotion
Designating outfielder Austin Slater for assignment created an opening for Morabito to join the team, which gives the Mets three out of five of their primary outfielders being rookies. Outfielders Juan Soto and MJ Melendez both have five or more years of service time.
Soto, who was supposed to be the Mets’ everyday left fielder (15 games), has also been the designated hitter (15 games) due to a calf injury sidelining him for the bulk of April. With Soto likely to be the primary designated hitter moving forward, while first baseman Jorge Polanco (left Achilles bursitis) recovers from his injury, Morabito will likely be the everyday left fielder.
Morabito is a primary center fielder, playing 26 games (26 starts) at the position. Since his call-up on May 12, Ewing has started seven games in center field.
Morabito joining the outfield will bring a little bit more speed to a Mets team that ranks 21st in steals (26). Benge leads the Mets with eight steals, while Ewing (two) is tied with two injured players in shortstop Francisco Lindor (two) and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (two). Morabito stole 14 bags in Syracuse and was caught twice.
With a lot of season left, the Mets are banking on their rookies to have success to turn things around.