As Spring Training gets into full swing for the New York Mets, there are several players that have stood out early on. Among these players is a fan favorite, Kirk Nieuwenhuis. For the past few seasons, Nieuwenhuis has had a legitimate opportunity to break camp as a starter in the Mets outfield but to no avail.
With his hot start making a bold statement this past week (.476 AVG), it might seem like this season could be different. Unfortunately for him, it won’t be for three reasons: his proven record vs lefties, a logjam in the outfield and his consistency off the bench.
First, it is widely known that Nieuwenhuis struggles against left-handed pitchers. He posted a meager .167 AVG the past three seasons against southpaws. He collected 13 hits in 78 AB with one home run. While it is easy to make a case that he simply hasn’t had the opportunities in this scenario, it should be noted that there is a major reason why. He often looks lost at the plate against lefties.
He changes his stance and approach and gets burned nearly every time. It has become an issue of psyche. If that is the reason, then perhaps, new hitting coach Kevin Long can help him in this area. Until he has been given the chances and succeeds consistently in it, this will always be a major question mark.
Secondly, the Mets have a wealth of outfielders in camp competing for what basically amounts to one spot. The team had enough options, in fact, that they even released their stolen base leader for the past two season in Eric Young Jr.
The competition for the three starting positions are all but settled with Curtis Granderson, Juan Lagares and Michael Cuddyer manning the outfield the majority of 2015. With the team seemingly stocking up on relievers and infield depth for April, the bench becomes a bit smaller.
This means there may only be one extra outfielder to begin the year. Matt den Dekker, Michael Conforto, Cesar Puello and Eric Campbell are among several names competing with Nieuwenhuis. While his great start and experience helps him in this competition, Nieuwenhuis still faces a steep climb to break into the top three on the outfield depth chart.
His best position is taken by Gold Glove center fielder Juan Lagares. Curtis Granderson is a lock in left field because of his potentially increasing production and his increased contract. The right field spot should most likely be Michael Cuddyer’s to lose since the team brought him in specifically for the corner outfield and to spell Lucas Duda occasionally at first base.
In those rare occasions, Nieuwenhuis will most definitely start a game, however, those chances will be far between with Duda proving himself as the power bat in the middle of the lineup that everyone hoped he would be.
The final reason that Nieuwenhuis will not be a starter is due to his success off the bench. Manager Terry Collins has come to rely on him in the pinch hitter role far too much. He has filled that role very effectively and has the potential to continue to do so for a long time.
Last season alone, Nieuwenhuis went 8 for 28 for a .285 AVG as a pinch hitter. He posted a solid 17 for 54 and a .315 AVG over the past three years in that duty. His track record speaks for itself. He has settled into this spot. While he will see extra ABs when the big three get off days or are rested in late innings, it is the most likely scenario that he will be the fourth outfielder.
In closing, the fact that the Mets have a player with such ability, athleticism and energy on the bench is actually a good thing. It means that they have enough talent that someone like Nieuwenhuis has to wait for his chances. His struggles against lefties, the plethora of outfielders competing and his embraced success off the bench are all reasons that lend themselves to the nearly obvious fact that he will be a bench player.
Though this may be bad news for those fans, like me, that are rooting for Nieuwenhuiis to see everyday opportunities, but being a backup will help him get in every day just the same.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis is doing what a fringe outfielder should be doing when it is his last chance and he is out of options. Kirk is putting an exclamation point on his .828 OPS 2014 season. He is a good bench player and may be even a good platoon player but he doesn’t appear to be an everyday player. If the Mets have an injury in a corner outfield position then Mayberry (who also is having a terrific spring with a .538 avg) and Kirk would make up a decent tandem and also improve the defense.
Would TC have the nerve if Granderson or Cuddyer start off slow to sit them and go to the platoon? This is a playoff cusp team where every game counts and tough decisions have to be made. Hopefully that problem will not have to be faced. Alderson did a nice job acquiring Mayberry and I am rooting for Kirk to have another productive year.
Would TC have the nerve if Granderson or Cuddyer start off slow to sit them and go to the platoon?
Zero chance Metsense. That is not TCs MO.
Granderson struggled through April last year and he did not sit down, there is no reason to believe Collins would sit him this year. He might sit against some tough lefties when they try and give Duda some at bats against them, but overall barring injury Granderson is going out there everyday.
If Duda is sitting out and Cuddyer is at 1st, that means , likely, that the opposing starter is LH. In that case they would want a RH to start, ie Mayberry.
Why the Mets essentially swapped EYJ out for Mayberry is beside me, but thats a different thought altogether. Just like they essentially swapped Turner for Campbell.
His only starts will be against a RH starter, maybe to give ‘ol Cuddy a rest.
Speaking of handedness, I’d love to see the Mets trade for Venditte. The way TC likes to bring pitchers in for a batter or 2 for the platoon advantage, he would be perfect.
I hope Kirk has a good year. I think he can be an everyday player, but he’s just below that line at the moment. Maybe this is his year to break out.