WASHINGTON -- The Mets, who have benefited greatly from an infusion of youth and speed in recent weeks, are adding even more of it to their roster.
The team promoted No. 11 prospect Nick Morabito on Tuesday, adding him to a roster that already includes A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge, the organization’s top and former top-ranked prospects. Ewing earned his callup just last week.
Morabito was in the Mets' lineup for his MLB debut on Tuesday against the Nationals, playing left field and batting seventh against Washington lefty Foster Griffin. Benge was in right field, with Tyrone Taylor in center and Ewing out of the lineup for the first time since his callup.
During an appearance on "The Sal Licata Show," manager Carlos Mendoza said the Mets will "get creative" to find ways to keep all their young outfielders in the mix.
"[Morabito's] going to get an opportunity," Mendoza said. "Not only [against] lefties, but you'll see some righties as well. We like the athleticism, we like the speed, and we're just going to continue to play that type of game."
Unlike Ewing, Morabito profiles more as a fourth outfielder capable of changing games with his speed and defense off the bench. Like Ewing, he can really burn thanks to what MLB Pipeline rated 70-grade speed on the 20-80 scouting scale. He is also a sound defensive player at all three outfield positions.
In 41 games for Triple-A Syracuse, Morabito hit .253/.364/.390 with six doubles, a triple, four home runs and 14 stolen bases. He recently emerged from an 0-for-20 stretch to collect five hits in his last 13 at-bats.
To clear roster space for Morabito, the Mets are designating veteran outfielder Austin Slater for assignment. Additionally, Clay Holmes was transferred to the 60-day injured list and left-hander Anderson Severino was added to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A.
Morabito will make his big league debut not far from home; the 23-year-old attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.
The Mets took Morabito with the 75th overall selection in the 2022 Draft, a pick they received as compensation when right-hander Noah Syndergaard left the Mets to sign with the Angels before the '22 season.
The Mets have received ample production from their rookies in recent weeks, including a 7-for-23 start from Ewing, who also has a homer, a triple and two steals, as well as a breakout run from Benge. After producing a .416 OPS over his first 21 games, Benge has batted .345/.389/.488 in 23 games since, collecting go-ahead extra-inning RBIs three separate times in the past week.