Rookie outfielder Nick Morabito is drawing inspiration from his fellow newcomers, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, as he looks to establish himself with the New York Mets. Morabito, who was recalled on the first day of expanded September rosters, joined Benge and Ewing in the outfield during the Mets' 6-2 loss to the Rays on Tuesday, forming a completely rookie outfield unit.
"It’s super cool and comforting," Morabito said. "I played with those guys in the minor leagues and I’m tight with them. To see their success … I am hoping just to bring more of it here."
Morabito, 23, was hit by a pitch in his only at-bat before being pinch-hit for in the seventh inning. In his previous five-game stint with the Mets earlier this season, he went hitless in 11 at-bats. He brings a similar athletic skill set to Benge and Ewing, emphasizing defense and baserunning alongside offensive potential.
"I feel like I play a similar game to them," Morabito said. "They’re just very exciting players."
During his time with Triple-A Syracuse this season, Morabito posted a .254/.355/.388 slash line with 13 home runs and 42 stolen bases over 114 games. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the Mets' No. 13 prospect. He was a second-round pick in the 2022 draft.
Interim manager Andy Green described Morabito's game as "speed, it’s defense, it’s get on base. It’s play the outfield as aggressively as those other two young guys we have got out there."
Green added, "I just want him to play baseball like he has his whole life. I don’t want him to make any more of it. The beauty of the last time is he got the first-time jitters out of the way. Now I would like to get the first [hit] out of the way for him."
An opportunity for Morabito has emerged partly due to the departure of veteran outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who was claimed off waivers by the Orioles, saving the Mets approximately $5 million. This move, coupled with Juan Soto being limited to designated hitter duties due to a calf strain, has opened a spot for the right-handed-hitting Morabito.
The team's organizational depth in the outfield was a factor in the Mets trading Brandon Nimmo last offseason, which created opportunities for younger players like Benge and Ewing. Benge has been a standout, emerging as a Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove candidate. Ewing, while experiencing an offensive slump in August, has provided consistent defense in center field.
Morabito reflected on his playing style, stating, "I feel like throughout my pro career I have been able to get on base, steal bases, play good defense and the power has been coming a little bit. Ultimately, I just want to cross the plate and put runs on the board and that is my goal."
He views his initial stint with the Mets in May as a crucial learning experience, acknowledging that he struck out in nine of his 11 at-bats. "He knows what he is coming back to," Green said of Morabito's recall. "You never want to overevaluate somebody’s first taste of the big leagues. There’s been a lot of guys that have been All-Stars and Hall of Famers that started horribly at the very beginning."