Brandon NimmoIf you look at the 2016 stats of Brandon Nimmo, you’ll probably nod and file it as some PCL inflation. The thing that might catch you off guard is the fact that Nimmo is suddenly looking a lot more like a budding star than he ever has before.

Think that’s crazy?

  • Season – .330/.405/.530
  • April – .260/.333/.315
  • May – .326/.421/.565
  • June – .486/.513/.886

Now, Nimmo is obviously benefiting from a strong start to June but his OPS trend seems to carry some weight. The center fielder who was signed as a first round pick for the Mets in 2011, who didn’t play high school ball (because he comes from Wyoming) and who was all promise and projection is one of the more maligned picks of the Sandy Alderson’s tenure.

At no level, prior to 2016 did Nimmo truly shine. As we began the 2016 season, some Met fans had dropped him from their Top 10 prospects entirely. Should there be anything behind the post April surge of Nimmo, this could add some options to the Mets, who are still desperate to add some offense.

Nimmo is a capable defender and currently manages center field for Las Vegas. While his defense is not on par with Juan Lagares he’s considered a solid defender. His offensive game is a little harder to peg. He’s got good contact and patience but has never shown tremendous speed or power.

If his power surge of recent games is an indicator and not an outlier, then we can start dreaming about adding another home-grown bat to join Michael Conforto.

AAA: Las Vegas 51’s

T.J. Rivera shouldn’t be here – He deserves to be on the bench for the major league club.

Gavin Cecchini is ready – He looks like he has taken the step between prospect and major league shortstop.

Dilson Herrera is heating up – He’s hitting well lately but also striking out too much.

Why isn’t Josh Edgin in the majors? – Edgin is ready to resume his role in the backend of the Mets bullpen but now the Mets have too many lefties.

AA: Binghamton Mets

Dominic Smith levels off – He was slumping badly but seems to have at least gotten his feet back under himself.

A+: Port St. Lucie Mets

Amed Rosario is just waiting – He has nothing left to prove in Port St. Lucie. He’s looking very good!

Chris Flexen showing life – None of the Met pitching prospects have been great but Flexen has been looking very good over his last two starts.

Andrew Church gets blown up – He was doing very well in Columbia but got a promotion and did very poorly in his debut.

A: Columbia Fireflies

David Thompson needs to strike out less – He’s got talent but swings and misses too often.

P.J. Conlon stays on target – He’s looking like one of the names to watch moving forward.

10 comments on “Mets Minors: Brandon Nimmo looking more star than stiff

  • Jimmy P

    Nimmo’s play has been very encouraging lately.

    I recall a date when he went 0-4 with 4 Ks. The next day I read a tweet that he went golfing with his father. That’s when he turned it around. I think there’s a story there.

    All of this would make me feel better if Ty Kelly wasn’t hitting .395.

    It might be time to bring up Nimmo, because why the hell not. De Aza is in his way? The strict platoon of Lagares looks like a mistake to me. From the first day of Spring Training, he’s looked focused and revived. Also, he’s soon slated to be making $9 million on his contract. He’s going to be untradeable if the Mets continue to reduce him to a guy who plays only against LHP.

    Club continues to desperately need a RH bat. They have needed one all season long. An amazing staff, but poor roster construction.

    Hoping that the return of d’Arnaud makes an immediate difference (and that TC doesn’t bat him 8th — which — sigh — he will). Maybe a 15-day DL will help Conforto clear the cobwebs.

    It is hard to understand what the club is doing with TJ Rivera.

  • DED

    Nimmo either has figured several things out, or else, it’s just the PCL talking. How a guy who managed a slugging percentage of .250 against lefthanders at AA can suddenly become a threat at AAA is well beyond me.

    Nimmo would have a better chance to stick with the Mets if there was nothing on the table, i.e., if the team was out of contention. He has usually had trouble adjusting to a new level, and I don’t think the Mets would be patient with the possibility of a post season berth to win. In fact, one of the reasons why I want to see Rivera promoted is the expectation that he would enjoy a spell of success while the pitchers come to realize what a free swinger he is; the Mets could use the hot spell.

  • Eraff

    Nimmo has advanced and been productive at every level—with injuries somewhat disrupting his progress.

    It’s easy to want every top Draftee to be Mike Trout…or Conforto, for that Matter. That’s not how it works. Regarding their drafts, every single guy has produced and advanced… including a couple they’ve traded away, specifically Fullmer. I’d say that the “top of the Draft” results have been pretty good—you still have Cheech, Smith, Nimmo at young ages/at advanced levels with relatively good production.

    The balance of their progress may have more to do with Makeup than talent scouting…. the Draft evaluates inherent ability, and attempts to capture “intangibles”…… very difficult to establish “mental makeup” at that phase with such young guys.

  • Buddy3

    3B at PSl is something to watch. Thompson should be promoted, but then what do you do with Urena?

    Same with Rosario. If you promote him to AA. Then do you move Evans, who suddenly seems to have regained his prospect status, to 2B to replace Mazzilli, who has no power with PEDs.?

    We drafted a infield with our 2-5 draft picks. Do they start in Brooklyn or so some of them go to Columbia so we can promote Thompson and Siena up to PSL ?

    Katz has done nothing at PSL so do we put Alonso at PSL and fast track him since Dom Smith is no longer looking super human.?

    Lots of interesting decisions on the horizon.

    • David Groveman

      By far my favorite type of question:

      David Thompson – Promited to A+ and demote Urena, who has never hit well at that level.

      Amed Rosario – Promoted to AA as you don’t halt the progress of a Top Tier prospect for a Second Tier one.

      Peter Alonso and Blake Tiberi should both play 2016 with Brooklyn. The Cyclones exist to transition college players into the minors.

  • Peter Hyatt

    Excellent article.

    Can anyone help me see value in playing DeAza?

    • Jimmy P

      Sandy desperately trying to justify (horrendous) signing, restore some trade value.

      The day the Mets signed Cespedes, the Mets needed to cut bait with De Aza and put him on the clearance rack, 50% off. All retail businesses understand this dynamic, but I think Mets were clinging to the idea of getting “fair value.” They made same mistake with Ike Davis and others.

      • Brian Joura

        Well, easier said than done.

        But for the sake of argument, let’s assume that they were able to do it. De Aza would have had to have agreed to the deal, as I don’t think you can trade a free agent you signed until 6/15 without his approval. Would he have valued the chance to play on a second division club more than the chance to make it to the playoffs? Sure, it’s possible. I wouldn’t say it would have been a slam dunk. As far as I know, De Aza has not complained about his situation.

      • Peter Hyatt

        DeAza is playing instead of Conforto.

        He’s batting .176

        Lead off

        Nothing but yielding to sandy on s stupid signing.

        Even slumping Conforto is 50 points higher.

  • MattyMets

    Jimmy P – great analogy and spot on!

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