Mets’ top prospect Ronny Mauricio drawing high praise for play with Columbia Fireflies
If baseball fans want to catch a glimpse of Columbia Fireflies sensation Ronny Mauricio, they might want to do it soon. The way the 18-year old native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic has started the season, his time in Columbia might be short.
Through the first 13 games of the season, Mauricio is hitting a team-leading .345 that includes two four-hit games to his credit. Batting mostly leadoff through Thursday’s games, seventeen of his nineteen hits have been singles thus far.
“I think one of the biggest things is he’s not afraid,” Fireflies manager Pedro Lopez said. “If he makes a mistake, he doesn’t put his head down. That’s hard for young guys. I think he’s a special kid that enjoys playing the game. It’s a privilege for me to have him in my lineup every day.”
It’s still early in Mauricio’s career but any long-time baseball fans in the Midlands will naturally draw comparisons to four-time Major League All-Star Jose Reyes.
The career paths in the early going are very similar. Reyes was 18 years old as well when he played for the Capital City Bombers, the Mets Class A South Atlantic League affiliate at the time. In 108 games, Reyes collected 125 hits with 22 doubles, 15 triples, five home runs, 48 RBI and 30 stolen bases while hitting for a .307 average.
That’s high praise for someone at such a young age but Mauricio, who earned a $2.1 million dollar signed bonus in 2017, seems very humble and even keel despite his young age. Mauricio is rated the third best prospect in the Mets farm system.
“He’s got a game plan and trying to stick to it,” Lopez translated for Mauricio. “Right now, it’s working just fine. He wants to be out on the field and just have fun.”
Homestand fun
Columbia is one of 72 teams that will change their names and logo for multiple games this season as part of year two of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion initiative to connect with the Latin community.
The Fireflies have changed their name to Chicharrones, a pork dish featuring either pork belly or pork rinds, for this weekend’s three-game homestand against Hickory. Hickory has adopted the nickname Llamas.
The PA system played Latin themed music during the teams batting practices.
“I think this is a good idea,” Lopez said. “There’s a lot of fans that have left Latin American for whatever reason that have come to the US. The Spanish music going during BP made it seem like playing in the Dominican during winter ball. This should do a lot for fans that are away from home. They can enjoy game like they were back at home.”
The Hickory series last through Saturday. They leave for a seven-game road trip after with three games starting in West Virginia on Monday. They then play Charleston, SC for four games ending Sunday, April 28.