ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Nick Morabito didn’t have to look far Tuesday to comprehend the possibilities.
In one corner outfield spot would stand Carson Benge, with A.J. Ewing beside him as the starting center fielder. Both rookies have established themselves with the Mets this season and have become woven into the team’s future.
It’s plenty of inspiration for Morabito, another rookie outfielder with aspirations of never returning to the minor leagues.
“It’s super cool and comforting,” said Morabito, who gave the Mets a completely rookie outfield in their 6-2 loss to the Rays. “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.”
The 23-year-old Morabito, who went 0-for-1 and was hit by a pitch before being pinch hit for by Mark Vientos in the seventh inning, was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on the first day of expanded September rosters. In a stint with the Mets earlier this season, he appeared in five games and went hitless in 11 at-bats.
He brings much the same skill set as Benge and Ewing: an athletic player who will contribute defensively and with baserunning, beyond whatever production arises from his bat.
“I feel like I play a similar game to them,” Morabito said. “They’re just very exciting players.”
Over 114 games this season for Syracuse, he has posted a .254/.355/.388 slash line with 13 homers and 42 stolen bases. A second-round pick in the 2022 draft, he is rated as the Mets’ No. 13 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
“I think he understands who he is pretty well right now,” interim manager Andy Green said. “It’s 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.
“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.”
Luis Robert Jr.’s departure — the veteran outfielder was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Monday, saving the Mets about $5 million — has created an opportunity for Morabito, a right-handed bat, especially with Juan Soto relegated to DH in his return from a second calf strain this season.
It was the organizational outfield depth that in part prompted the Mets to trade Brandon Nimmo last offseason, creating chances for the rookies.
Benge has seized the opportunity to the hilt in emerging as a National Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove candidate.
Ewing slumped offensively in August and entered play Tuesday with a .663 OPS overall but has brought consistent defense to center field.
MEts merch shop
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
How does Morabito see himself as a player?
“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,” Morabito said. “Ultimately, I just want to cross the plate and put runs on the board and that is my goal.”
Morabito, who struck out in nine of his 11 at-bats to begin his major league career, said his May stint with the club was a “learning point” in his development.
“He knows what he is coming back to,” Green said. “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. There’s been a lot like myself that get a home run in the first at-bat and then go downhill from there.”
