Each year at 213 we look through the Non-Roster Invitees to spring training and get to know them a bit. Are they in camp to get a look at big league hitting/pitching to aid their development? Are the Mets just trying to get a better look at a future rookie? Are they a veteran trying to get back to the major league level? What can we expect from them this season?
Yesterday we previewed Jake Hager, who has already been assigned to Syracuse and hasn’t made it to the majors yet. He plays up the middle and at third base. Today’s NRI, Max Moroff, plays the same position with slightly more major league playing experience, getting into 56 games back in 2017 and about 20 or so games each year since. Tomorrow’s NRI preview for Eduardo Nunez is more the typical NRI-veteran trying to get back into the game.
Moroff was drafted by the Pirates in the 16th round in 2012, made his debut with the Pirates and stayed with them until after the 2012 season when he was traded with Jordan Luplow to the Indians for Erik Gonzalez and two minor league players. Max Moroff has not yet found success with his bat at the major league level:
2017 Pirates: 56 G, 140 PA, 120 AB, 3 HR, .200/.302/.325
2018 Pirates: 26 G, 67 PA, 59 AB, 3 HR, .186/.284/.356
2019 Indians: 20 G, 35 PA, 32 AB, 1 HR, .125/.176/.250
Max Moroff hasn’t found much hitting success in AAA either hitting .231/.364/.394 across four seasons. Unlike Hager who’s troubles in AAA bounced him between AAA/AA, Moroff has pretty much stayed in AAA since after he passed AA ball, his last really successful hitting season at .293/.374/.409.
Max Moroff is in camp to round out Syracuse’s roster so the Mets don’t have to rush any infielders lower in the system. His experience with major league hitting makes him an interesting, although not appealing option, if the Mets really need to dig for a player in their system for a roster spot. Most likely he and Hager will slot behind Eduardo Nunez in the depth list.
