Mets Moving Right Along
Spring progress is most definitely being made
It’s not often that the journey’s destination is also the fuel that keeps the engine running, but that’s baseball. And it’s perfect.
Spring training is about rediscovering that all sacred groove in preparation for yet another grueling, 162-game trek. Positive results in camp are great, but the routine and rhythm attained through these reps are what translate into regular-season successes.
Set that foundation and keep building.
For the Mets, things are moving along swimmingly. Some guys are still getting sharp (Pete Alonso is 4-for-20 with five strikeouts this spring; David Peterson’s given up six runs over 6.2 IP), but, mostly, the squad is coming together just fine.
Following Tuesday’s 10-0 win over the Marlins in Jupiter, Mets manager Buck Showalter touched on the process.
“Guys are starting to get that look in their eye a little bit. It’s getting close to the bell,” he told reporters (SNY). “I don’t know if it’s the lockout or whatever, but we had to temper a lot of their enthusiasm for playing.”
“With COVID and everything, they’ve been kinda longing for normal. And, you know, it’s not a normal spring but it’s a lot more normal than last year,” Showalter added. “I think you’re seeing some guys really enjoying the freedom, so to speak.”
Apparently, some of these guys are having an absolute blast being back out there.
Following his 2-for-2, four-RBI night against Miami, Francisco Lindor is now 9-for-19 this spring with four home runs, two doubles, and five runs scored (.474/.500/1.211). Yes, it’s only March. But still, it’s encouraging.
Following a mostly underwhelming first season in Flushing (.230/.322/.412, 103 wRC+ after hitting .276/.341/.503 with 120 wRC+ from 2017 through 2020 with Cleveland), Lindor looks to have redemption on his mind.
Since last Thursday, the 28-year-old shortstop has put eight balls in play; four home runs, two doubles, a single, and a sacrifice fly. The average exit velocity on all eight was 104.8 MPH.
Here’s a centerfield-camera view of Lindor’s rocket homer on Tuesday via Jacob Resnick of SNY. Let’s hope this carries over to when it counts. The Mets sure could use this level of production powering the top third of their lineup.
And Lindor isn’t the only one snapping into form quickly this spring.
Dominic Smith’s .522 OBP and 1.300 OPS are good for fifth and 10th in the league this spring. Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil both went 2-for-5 on Tuesday, with a homer for Nimmo.
Eduardo Escobar is 5-for-12. Tomas Nido is 5-for-13. James McCann has a couple of well-struck hits over a handful of plate appearances (2-for-5, 2B). Even Luis Guillorme is getting in on the fun, going 7-for-17 with consistent repetitions.
On the pitching side of things, the Mets have an embarrassment of riches. But again, this time of year is all about putting in the necessary work; from the top dogs to the fringe guys.
Jacob deGrom (10 strikeouts, no walks, 5 IP this spring) and Max Scherzer (12 strikeouts, 0.64 WHIP, 11 IP) are both doing what everyone expects them to do.
Chris Bassitt looked dominant in his first official Grapefruit League outing on Tuesday (intrasquad start last week), allowing no runs on four hits over 4.2 innings with three strikeouts and no walks (clip via Jacob Resnick).
Carlos Carrasco gets the ball versus Houston tonight. Taijuan Walker allowed a hit over two innings in his first appearance of the spring. He goes again on Thursday against Washington.
Tylor Megill has made a strong push to vault himself toward the “sixth” spot in the Mets’ rotation, keeping trouble at bay with no earned runs (two unearned) over 6.2 innings of work despite walking five with five hits. Trevor Williams (BB over 2 IP) assuredly has similar thoughts in mind.
Showalter is also getting a very good look at his young bullpen arms this spring. The competition for whatever spots (or spot) could be up for grabs in New York’s relief corps should be a dead heat heading down the home stretch.
Left-handers Josh Walker (ER, 4 IP), Alex Claudio (0 ER, 3 IP), and Rob Zastryzny (5 K, 0 BB, 0 ER, 3 IP), as well as righties Eric Orze (0 ER, 3 IP), Stephen Nogosek (0 ER, 3.1 IP), and Colin Holderman (7 K, BB, 0 ER, 3 IP), are all performing extremely well.
And it’s still shocking that Chasen Shreve (4 K, 0 BB, 0 ER, 3 IP) fell back into the Mets’ laps on a minor-league deal. Could be huge.
Progress is all that matters at this point. And these guys are making plenty of it. Love to see that.
Never any paywalls. Once it leaves my head, it’s yours. If you want to pay me for my work, it’s greatly appreciated.
Become a paid subscriber below, or if you enjoyed the story, drop a buck or two in our Venmo account (@TheAppleNYM)
Use promo code THEAPPLE for a 125% deposit bonus when you sign up with our new partner, BetUS!
Whoweee!! I know I keep saying IT and I keep reading IT....*THIS* is gonna be some kind of a fantabulous Year!!! #LGM #NoJinx