Three Strong Hitting Performances Within The Mets System In 2024

One of the focuses for the New York Mets since owner Steve Cohen took over and after president of baseball operations David Stearns came on was to build the minor league system. The Mets have done so, now owning a farm system that is ranked around the top 10 by many.

Of course, there are several intriguing bats that headline such system, including the likes of Jett Williams, Drew Gilbert, and Ryan Clifford, among others. Who were some of the underrated names in the system who had strong offensive years in 2024?

Nick Morabito

The 21-year-old Nick Morabito certainly has some pedigree to him. Morabito was drafted in the second round in 2022 and has quickly made his way up from the Florida Complex League to High-A Brooklyn by the end of 2024.

To start the season, the right-handed hitting outfielder began in Single-A St. Lucie and slashed .397/.530/.513, which was good for a 1.043 OPS. He was quickly called up to High-A Brooklyn where he remained for the rest of the season, slashing .294/.373/.374 (.747 OPS) over 377 at-bats. Between the two levels, Morabito posted a .312 average to go along with a .403 on-base percentage and 59 stolen bases. That .403 on-base percentage ranked 24th among all minor-leaguers who played between the Single-A and Triple-A level this season. Additionally, not only did his overall .312 comfortably lead the whole Mets system in 2024, but his wRC+ of 135 also ranked first, slimly ahead of Ryan Clifford.

Of course, there is some concern in terms of how much power Morabito can actually muster. His slugging percentage was less than his on-base percentage at both the Single-A and High-A levels. Specifically, only 26 of his 142 hits on the year were of the extra-base variety.

Overall, Morabito excels at walking a ton, and does a great job of getting the barrel to the ball to generate base hits while causing chaos on the basepaths with his base-stealing acumen. However, the power is certainly a question mark. Regardless, it was a terrific 2024 for an intriguing prospect in the Mets’ system.

Luke Ritter

When might Luke Ritter finally get his shot? Ritter has been one of the better bats in the Mets’ system the last two seasons. After posting a .868 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A in 2023, Ritter followed that up with a .849 OPS in 2024 over a full season at the Triple-A level. Ritter’s 122 wRC+ in 2024 ranked third in the Mets’ system.

Overall, Ritter slashed .257/.369/.480 to go along with a system-leading 26 home runs and 93 RBIs. No one in the Mets system got close to these numbers; Ryan Clifford ranked second in each at 19 homers and 68 RBIs. Ritter’s 93 RBIs ranked second in the whole International League (Triple-A).

The concern for Ritter has always been a high strikeout rate (30.7% and fifth-highest in the International League). However, the power has been undeniable and he does still walk a lot (fifth-most walks in the International League). He also brings some defensive versatility, playing innings at first base, second base, third base, and left field in 2024. Is 2025 the year Ritter finally gets a look at the major-league level?

Boston Baro

Boston Baro was selected in the eighth round in 2023 and had a very strong first full professional season. The now 20-year-old Baro spent a majority of his 2024 in Single-A St. Lucie before getting a late call-up to High-A Brooklyn. With St. Lucie, Baro posted a .288/.368/.399 slash line with a .767 OPS. After his call-up, he only got 44 at-bats where he hit .205.

Overall, Baro posted the eighth-highest wRC+ in the Mets’ system in 2024 at 117. His .278 batting average came in at fourth-highest. He also barely struck out, posting a strikeout rate of only 18.1%, which was the sixth-lowest in the system.

Being only 20-years-old, the versatile infielder still has tons of time to develop. However, it was certainly a very encouraging first full professional season for Baro.

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