Mets Morning News: Eric Chavez gets promoted

The Mets announced that they have invited fifteen additional players to major league spring training: infielder Jonathan Araúz, outfielder Lorenzo Cedrola, right-handed pitcher Connor Grey, right-handed pitcher Grant Hartwig, outfielder Tim Locastro, left-handed pitcher T.J. McFarland, catcher Nick Meyer, right-handed pitcher Eric Orze, catcher Kevin Parada, catcher Michael Pérez, outfielder Alex Ramírez, catcher Hayden Senger, outfielder DJ Stewart, left-handed pitcher Josh Walker, and right-handed pitcher William Woods.

Acquired: 2019 MLB Draft, 1st Round (Lake Travis High School, Texas) 2022 Stats: 95 G, 420 AB, .315/.410/.533, 114 H, 22 2B, 0 3B, 19 HR, 49 BB, 104 K, 2/6 SB, .398 BABIP (Double-A/Triple-A) Brett Baty was held back a year while in the fifth grade- a common practice...

Acquired: 2022 MLB Draft, 1st Round (Georgia Tech) 2022 Stats: 13 G, 40 AB, .275/.455/.425, 11 H, 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 12 BB, 13 K, 0/1 SB, .400 BABIP (Rookie/Low-A) Unlike most little leaguers, who gravitate towards the mound, or a prestigious position like shortstop or center field, Kevin Parada began playing catcher at a young age and stayed at the position. A California native, he lettered four years at Loyola High School in Los Angeles and hit a cumulative .380/.466/.661 with 9 home runs, 15 stolen bases in 16 attempts, and 34 walks to 51 strikeouts. He began the year on the junior varsity team but was promoted to varsity after only a handful of games and ended up hitting .277/.304/.353 in 24 games with 1 home run, 5 stolen bases in 6 attempts, and 2 walks to 14 strikeouts. In his sophomore year, he hit .365/.448/.675 with 2 home runs, 2 stolen bases in as many attempts, and 8 walks to 22 strikeouts. In his junior year, he hit .447/.556/.828 with 4 home runs, 6 stolen bases in as many attempts, and 19 walks to 12 strikeouts. His senior year was limited to just 10 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in those 10 games, he hit .467/.568/.866 with 2 home runs, 2 stolen bases in as many attempts, 5 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Considered potentially a second or third-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Parada rejected all suitors who came to him with offers, intent on attending college and honoring his commitment to Georgia Tech, a school that has had success developing highly touted catchers over the last few years.

Outfielder Khalil Lee is under investigation for abusing his ex-girlfriend while he was with Syracuse last season. Now that the Mets have extended Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso should be next. Howie Rose has been battling bladder cancer since being diagnosed early last year. The Mets’ minor league ballparks offer fun...

Jeff McNeil’s contract extension was made official Tuesday, saying it was tough to stay positive at times in his journey to becoming a franchise cornerstone, and that it’s clear ownership is trying to make a winner. He also said his struggles in 2021 helped him win the batting...