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The New York Mets will decide which players call up when rosters expand in MLB roster from 26 to 28 on September 1. The organization plans to add a bullpen pitcher and a player to complement the bench.
The most interesting aspect of this decision is based on the team's bench, where up until a few days ago Brett Baty seemed like the most obvious choice, but after his recent injury, the team must consider what else they need. Four players emerge as the most necessary for the Mets, among the options in Triple-A.
4) Jackie Bradley Jr.
Former Boston Red Sox All-Star outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. began the season playing baseball in the independent league with the Long Island Ducks and was later signed by the Mets to a minor league contract after hitting .400/.476/.727 in 40 games. Bradley Jr. is a player known in MLB, especially for his defensive level, which predicted he would win a Gold Glove in the 2018 season.
After nearly twenty games, Bradley has shown a certain level of power contact and speed on the bases, which makes him an important asset for the Mets in the big leagues. His defensive level in the outfield and his speed, despite his 34 years, could serve in pressing situations in games where late-in-game defense in the outfield or a pinch runner is needed.
However, the outfield looks crowded after the acquisition of Jesse Winker, making Bradley a somewhat important, but not indispensable, piece for the Mets at the MLB level. Bradley's addition to the team would be as a substitute for the role that Ben Gamel played this season, as a defensive replacement player with the ability to run bases well and some plate appearances against right-handed pitchers.
3) Luke Ritter
If there's one player who deserves a call-up to the big leagues, already considered a veteran of the Mets' minor leagues, it's Luke Ritter. The utility player is in his third season in Triple-A with the Mets where he has an OPS around .800 with nearly 40 home runs in just over 200 games.
Ritter is a versatile player who would provide the team with options to rotate between first, second, and third base in the infield, with the ability to play both outfield corners. This multi-position ability and demonstrated power represent a high-value option for the Mets to round out their roster with an option with this flexibility.
The Mets' choice of Ritter over other options in the majors has its pros based on the ability and maturity of his bat plus that positional versatility. However, it does have one drawback. The team's surplus of right-handed hitters makes Ritter a more available and less necessary player, despite his offensive production.
Likewise, if the Mets decide to give Ritter a chance, they could count on reasonable offensive production in a depth role off the bench. The veteran of a thousand minor league battles will undoubtedly try to make the most of that opportunity.
2) D.J. Stewart
Despite having a bad year in MLB, which caused him to be demoted to Triple-A, D.J. Stewart has proven to have real and timely power in MLB. In their September 1 roster expansion, the Mets could need a left-handed bat of Stewart's power as an occasional hitter or in a high-leverage situation versus right-handed pitchers.
Through about 20 games on the minor league circuit, Stewart has posted an OPS of nearly .900 thanks in large part to his power and an improvement in his recognition of the strike zone, posting an OBP of almost .450. During that span, Stewart has seen his strikeout rate decrease and his contact ability at the plate increase.
However, unlike previous seasons the Mets do not have a high need for power on offense. The team is fifth in MLB in home runs and seventh in cumulative offensive production measured through wRC+.
These arguments and Stewart's lack of defensive ability and versatility make him an unlikely player on the team, especially for a role off the bench where speed and versatility are needed to complement the team. Still, if the team decides to go the route of offensive power production, Stewart is the ideal candidate for that roster spot.
1) Luisangel Acuña
Former top 100 prospect and current Mets number 12 prospect Luisangel Acuña has seen his value decline due to low offensive production in the minors. During a nearly full season in Triple-A, Acuña has an OPS below .700 with low power and a dismal OBP hovering around .300.
However, the brother of the Atlanta Braves superstar has a top prospect pedigree, with high contact ability, superior speed on the bases, occasional power, and high defensive versatility. These aspects come to light when deciding on a bench position like the one the Mets need as soon as the MLB roster expands to 28 players.
The Mets manager himself described the profile of the player they would be considering for the position as "A lot. Versatility, speed." Acuña meets both conditions thanks to a speed in the 60th grade on the 20-80 scale according to scouts, demonstrated in his current production where he is on his way to achieving his fourth consecutive season with more than 40 stolen bases in the minors.
Likewise, Acuña has offensive versatility, being able to cover shortstop, second base, and outfield above the league average in defensive metrics. Likewise, despite having a low OBP Acuña maintains a low level of strikeout percentage which guarantees a greater propensity to put the ball in play, which together with his speed are factors that benefit him despite his high level of ground balls. The decision seems like a no-brainer here.
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