Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

While all of the attention was on Francisco Lindor for his first game action in a Mets uniform, numerous prospects got the opportunity to make their first impression in 2021.

Harol Gonzalez was on the mound for the New York Mets’ spring training opener against the Miami Marlins. The 25-year-old was the opener, pitching just one inning. He got Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte to fly out to right fielder Kevin Pillar before striking out Jesus Aguilar, who would homer in his second plate appearance off Ryley Gilliam.

Gonzalez topped out at 90 MPH with his two-seam fastball. Just like every other pitcher, Gonzalez wasn’t expected to pitch many innings on Monday after a shortened season in 2020.

Thomas Szapucki, arguably the best Mets pitching prospect behind 19-year-old Matthew Allan, pitched an inning allowing a leadoff single before getting a ground ball to set up a double play. Then he walked Sandy Leon but came back to strike out Jesus Sanchez looking to end the inning.

The 24-year-old left-hander increased his velocity from 2020, topping out at 95 MPH and sitting between 92-94 MPH, according to SNY’s Jacob Resnick. He was around 87 MPH at the Mets alternate site last season.

Szapucki had an outside chance at being the fifth starter before Taijuan Walker agreed to a two-year deal but now will try to earn a spot in the bullpen with a strong showing in spring training.

Top shortstop prospect Ronny Mauricio came in for Lindor in the top of the sixth and struck out looking in what would be his only at-bat due to it being an agreed-upon seven-inning game. 19-year-old catcher Francisco Alvarez pinch-hit for Patrick Mazeika in the seventh inning and grounded into a double play.