“Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears,
for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth,
overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried,
than before–more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.”
Full Name: Travis E. d’Arnaud
Born: 02/10/1989
Birthplace: Long Beach, CA
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 195
Bats: R
Throws: R
Travis d’Arnaud came to the Mets as part of the R.A. Dickey trade with John Buck, Noah Syndergaard and Wuilmer Becerra. He would likely already be the Met’s everyday starting catcher if not for an unlucky swing and a broken foot. The good news for the Mets and d’Arnaud is that the future is rapidly approaching where d’Arnaud will be part of the Met lineup.
He already completed the first leg of his rehab assignment in the Rookie GCL where he knocked 3 doubles in his brief 6 game stint. Now he’ll be tested in AA Binghamton, where he will be asked to show the Mets that his bat is up to speed before they promote d’Arnaud into the role they acquired him to fill. Of course, Met fans need to be realistic.
Met fans who were fans through the 1990s were spoiled by a certain Mike Piazza who was able to be the heart and soul of the offense despite also playing an A-typical position for generating that type of success. Let’s be clear, d’Arnaud is not Piazza.
Piazza had a startling and quick jaunt through the minors after bursting onto the scene in 1991 with a .277/.344/.540 line in A+ with 29 home runs. 125 games in AA and AAA later and Piazza would begin a string of success that is nearly unrivaled. Let us just imagine anyone on the Mets having a 10 year run of season with an OPS above .900 and 9 seasons of 30 or more home runs.
No, we cannot expect Mike Piazza when we promote d’Arnaud in a matter of weeks. That isn’t fair to d’Arnaud and that isn’t reasonable. What we should expect is a solid slugging percentage and a more reliable bat at the position than we’ve enjoyed since the days of Paul Lo Duca. We should expect a young player like d’Arnaud to struggle some as he adapts to the league. That is only natural.
While I’m suggesting we manage our expectations, I’m not discouraging people from getting their hopes up. D’Arnaud is a major part of the Mets projected future and we should be excited for what he brings to the table.
Good quote, David!
And agreed, we don’t have the next Piazza … but we shouldn’t expect one, either. It appears we have a #3 or even #2 pitcher in AA ball already out of the Dickey trade. You might want to weigh that against what the Rays have in Wil Myers *right now*, of course.
Count me among the happy if TDA plays 600 games for the Mets at above replacement … maybe on the order of slightly less than McCann and more than Lucroy. I think that’s reasonable.
I think you’re underestimating Syndergaard, Jerry. I’ve heard reports from scouts saying he’ll be better than Wheeler, and not as good as Harvey, so it sounds like a number 2 guy to me.
I think that d’Arnaud will be the offensive equivalent of Brian McCann. Very good, if not an all-star for the forseeable future.
I agree, it looks like Syndergaard may just turn out to be the steal of the show. Imagine the fortune of deciding if Wheeler or Niese goes 3 -4 in the rotation!
“#3 possibly #2 right now” “sounds like a #2 guy to me”?
Seems like we’re hearing it pretty much the same way.
Amen! Lets get to it!
Even though I don’t like to compare I was just wondering if Buster Posey had similar numbers before he joined the Giants.
Posey AAA: 2009 .906 OPS 2010 .994 OPS 11 HR in 359 AB
TDA AAA: 2012 .975 OPS 2013 .901 OPS 17 HR in 352 AB
TDA needs to be above average in 2013-2014 in his rookie years. David you have summed up the Great Expectations in a very realistic and practical way.(but it is nice getting our hopes up).
To Metsense. Thanks for the information, I appreciate you taking the time to research and answer my question.