Sep 12, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio (10) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at New York Mets
NEW YORK — Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio’s torn ACL suffered in winter ball could have been prevented.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the team tried to persuade Mauricio to skip winter ball this offseason.
“Mauricio is struggling financially, and needed the income,” Puma said in a post Friday.
The shortstop got a $2.1M signing bonus at 16 years old but “never saw much, if any, of that money, due to an agent and a family member to whom the player gave control of his finances.”
Sources told Puma, playing for Los Tigres del Licey, [Mauricio] “was expecting at least $20,000 monthly.”
This type of story isn’t uncommon for international prospects, where buscones, who act as agents, will sign young players with the hope of getting a piece of their bonus, according to this ESPN report.
In Mauricio’s case, it appears he paid a hefty amount for an agent, in hopes of better opportunity to make the big-leagues, and then had the misfortune of trusting a family member with his money.
He had been set to compete with Brett Baty and Mark Vientos for reps at third base this year – but likely will have now have to wait until 2025 to make an impact with the big league club.
