The New York Mets have announced that they have selected the contract of outfielder Alex Ramirez, protecting him from December 7th’s Rule 5 Draft.

His numbers have significantly declined since 2022’s breakout season when he hit .281/.346/.436./.782 with 30 doubles, seven triples, 11 Home Runs and 71 RBI’s to .221/.310/.317/.627 with 21 doubles, 1 triple, seven home runs and 53 RBI’s. A tool he definitely brings to the table is his ability to steal bases. Since 2021, his stolen bases numbers are 16-7, 21-16, 21-6.

Unfortunately, those numbers aren’t enough to keep him on the highly touted “Top 100 Prospects list” going into the 2024 season. The good news is that he’s only 20 years old, and still has enough value to warrant a spot on the team’s 40-man roster, which currently sits at 33 players.

If he can put an OBP around .340 and continue steal bases, he’ll be too good to ignore. I don’t know if he’ll hit in the big leagues but I expect him to fill out a bunch in the next three years, just like Ronny Mauricio.

I definitely don’t expect him to be traded this offseason, as his trade value dropped alongside his rankings. It makes sense to put that on hold, at least till he gets his numbers back up.