WASHINGTON -- The Mets, who have benefited greatly from an infusion of youth and speed in recent weeks, are about to add even more of it to their roster.
The team is set to promote No. 11 prospect Nick Morabito, a source told MLB.com, 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. The club has not confirmed Morabito's promotion.
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, according to a source. Slater had a .586 OPS in nine games.
Morabito will have a chance to make his big league debut not far from home. The 23-year-old, who attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., could appear in the Mets' series with the Nationals in D.C., which ends Thursday.
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.