The first New York Mets spring training lineup is out, and it's got fans buzzing. We expected to see Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette, and Juan Soto, but the rest of the lineup is where things get interesting.
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Spring training lineups can feel like they’re drawn from a hat, but this one is noteworthy because it’s the first glimpse into the Mets' strategy for Opening Day.
Let's dive into the positive and potentially concerning takeaways from this initial lineup.
The Positive: Ronny Mauricio Gets His Shot at Shortstop
With Francisco Lindor sidelined, the big question is who will step up at shortstop if he's not ready for Opening Day. Vidal Brujan might not be the strongest choice, while Bichette is a logical option. However, many are excited about Ronny Mauricio.
Mauricio’s inclusion is a golden opportunity for him to showcase his talent. It wouldn’t make much sense to slot Bichette at shortstop when Brett Baty seems like a better fit for third base. Plus, with Carson Benge and Mike Tauchman as intriguing outfield options, Baty starting in right field is less likely.
Demoting Mauricio and wasting his final minor league option doesn’t add up when there are at-bats available in Lindor’s absence. Seeing Mauricio take the first reps is a promising sign for his future. Even if he’s not everyone’s top choice, at least the Mets are exploring their options.
The Concern: Marcus Semien’s Role at Leadoff
Semien batting leadoff might not seem significant, but it hints at his potential role if Lindor isn’t ready to start the season. If Lindor is back, Semien could slide down to fifth, possibly behind Jorge Polanco.
Semien is versatile-he can lead off when he's hot, but he might drop to ninth if things cool down. The Mets seem willing to give him the chance to prove himself, which makes sense in a lineup filled with minor leaguers and bench players. If Semien were hitting third, it might imply he’s seen as the third-best hitter, but with Soto and Bichette ahead, why not move them up?
The lineup seems structured to favor experience, with Austin Barnes, Jose Rojas, and Chris Suero getting early at-bats, likely due to their familiarity with major league pitching.
Remember, it’s only spring training. So far, this is concern level 0.5 out of 10.