Let’s not sugar coat it, the Mets offense needs a jolt. Going into to tonight’s game against Arizona, the Mets rank 14th in the National League in BA (.234) and SLG (.351). In the “friendly” confines of Citi Field, it only gets worse as they are hitting .213 and .325 in the same categories. This trend cannot continue if the Mets hope to string wins together, regardless of how well their pitching performs. So far on this home stand, despite losing two of three from the Dodgers, the Mets have gotten a needed jolt from two of their young prospects.
Eric Campbell and Wilmer Flores could be integral going forward in stabilizing a productive lineup. Campbell, since his call-up, has been stinging the ball to all fields while showing excellent plate coverage. He already has 6 RBIS in 22 PA, with a .368 BA. Last night, Campbell made a pivotal defensive play robbing Hanley Ramirez of a game tying hit in the 8th inning on a diving catch. This was Campbell’s first start as a major league outfielder and he showed excellent poise. Terry Collins reiterated Campbell’s capabilities and touted more playing time for him. If “Soup,” as his teammates call him, continues to display the power and hitting prowess he’s shown in this short sample size, he should give the Mets another option if Chris Young’s struggles continue.
Campbell’s ability to play numerous positions gives the Mets versatility for different lineups. The option of spelling lineup mainstays on certain days could spurn Campbell more playing too. He’s played all infield positions in minor leagues as well as both corner outfield positions. Of course, these days a “mainstay” is something of an aberration. Collins continues to label players as regulars only to contradict those statements with his lineup insertions. Case in point: Wilmer Flores.
It was less than two weeks ago when Collins said Ruben Tejada was going to play every day because he was just ”too hot to take out” of the lineup. As odd as that was to say about a player teetering above the Mendoza line, Collins true to form started Flores the last three games at shortstop. If it was a test to see if Flores can handle the workload, he passed beyond expectations. Flores went 5 for 11 in the series including an opposite field blast that made him victim of a Yasiel Puig catch-of-the-year nominee that robbed him of an extra base hit. More importantly, Flores showed fluid range and throwing in the middle of the diamond. If there has been hesitancy by the organization or fans to embrace Flores as an everyday option at shortstop, the three game stint eased many of those worries…for now at least.
Granted, these are just a few games of promise from these two budding talents, but it opens up a few rays of hope for these Mets. Fans want to believe this team can compete, but the past three weeks have thwarted optimism. If Campbell and Flores can hold their own on defense, there’s no reason to think Collins would keep them out of the lineup due to the power they can infuse to the lower half of the lineup. C. Young and Eric Young have hit a dry spell at the plate and Collins has said regarding Campbell that he’s going to “ride the hot horse.” With losing teams on the schedule for the next 14 games, it’s time for Campbell and Flores to “Seize the Day” and parlay their hot streaks into full time gigs.
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Now over 60 games and 250 PA’s, Eric Young Jr has a .194/.262/.256 slash line at Citi. I don’t know why he was ever resigned because he, like many other Mets, just can’t play here.
Chris Young has a much smaller sample size of 28 games and 111 PA’s, but he has a horrendous .173/.264/.296.
Granny also has a pathetic .176/.232/.330 line this year at home over 24 games and 99 PA.
These guys should not be starting at home on any consistent basis. Ideally, you find a way to dump both the Youngs (Granny too but near 0% chance someone will take him), but in the mean time, play them on the road, sit them as often as you can at home, and play Campbell until he proves he can’t hit at home either.
Lagares is playing to a 900+ OPS at home this year so under no circumstances should he not start at Citi. Plan his off days on the road.
The simple fact is that if you hear Terry Collins AKA “The Imbecile” long enough, he will stick his foot into his mouth. Never, in all my years of following the Mets have I been so disappointed in a manager.
No sooner does Flores have a 3 hit game while playing average defense when here comes Collins saying that Campbell will now be involved in playing SS and 2B. Can someone please shut this guy up?
I am surprised he hasn’t tried Erik Young at SS just so that he can find his love child a position. Collins = Clueless, brainless, ignorant, senile.
Thank You for letting me vent.
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He definitely need a publicist. Ironically, they just hired an Executive Communacations Director to elevate the public relations aspect of the organization.
I don’t know if Campbell will end up being more than a very valuable super sub. But I’m all for playing him to find out.
Eric Campbell should play left field everday terry collins shouldn’t play the 7 million waste cliff young probably gettin orders from sandy. Play the best players
I get what everyone here has said, but let me interject. First, Chris Young has some ability, but is not in sync yet because he was hurt to start the year. He may be another Marlon Byrd that gets started in June, so getting some ABs is fine. Just batting him fifth and cleanup is ridiculous. He should be sixth or seventh until he gets going. Second, Collins said that Campbell will play SS if the game is lopsided. LOL, really? I bet Matt Harvey wants to play short then, so what difference does it make. Lastly, playing Chris Young in CF to satisfy Chris Young is a big mistake.
To see just how desperate or just plain stupid the front office was to sign someone, they not only shelled out $7.5MM for a player that had a bad year and has had injury problem and performance problems outside the launching pad of Arizona, but the Promised him playing time, also. How absurd. Did anyone promise Choo playing time? How about even Corey Hart, who was hurt last year? Hart was promised a shot, and it was up to him to make it count. Young was given guarantees. What fools.
Michael Young had an all star career as a bat without a position for the Rangers so it can be done. Wilmer should start every day at ss until Wright is no longer an option at 3rd and then move him over to the corner unless something better comes along. Left alone Wilmer will hit, likely even better than his minor league numbers as he grows and gets stronger. People forget he’s still just a kid.
Stephen,
When Michael Young came up, he was a good fielding little hit, fast run SS that A-Rod displaced to second base. Then when got Kinsler, they put Young at third base. Beltre made Young a utility guy, but by then his bat had caught up.
Flores needs to just play one spot, and for my money, it would be SS for a few years then move to third.
Ultimately, the team is made worse by juggling by playing the hot hands.
When you see someone who’s approach seems to change daily (Ike Davis, 2013) or is clearly overmatched (Ruben Tejada, any year), you have a rationale and reason to change.
Give Campbell ABs because he is either –
a. he’s a better solution, over the course of a year, than the guy he’s taking PT away from or
b. you see him as an excellent utility man and he needs some time.
I don’t see A. He certainly won’t hit for power (Chris Young) or run (EYJ); he can’t play reasonable defense (highlight reel play otherwise); he’s never really been the best player on any team he’s played for in the minors or even close.
Is he a great utility man? I doubt it. Based on the numbers we’ve seen out of LV, EC likely will hit for around a 650 OPS and play increasingly bad defense. You can buy a better utility player for around $1.5-2.0 MM all day long.
There is, of course, a reasonable alternative. A player that has been one of the best hitters in our organization for years. He’s the best hitter at LV this year, he was one of the best hitters last year. He plays corner positions.
He’s had limited good success in the MLs. But for 19 ABs in the MLs for a guy with a nice nickname, we’re not seeing Zack Lutz. Eric Campbell is the very essence of why this team will never go anyplace. Spend a minute and compare the hitting of Campbell to Lutz, and explain to me why this discussion is even occurring in the first place.
The Mets have one of the worst DP defenses in MLB so as long as Flores doesn’t make it that much worse and he keeps hitting then what the hell. The mistake was not getting any SS depth last winter. Tovar is probably not a solution but why are they keeping him at AA when there is an opening at AAA?
Campbell is hot and is injecting some life into a team that was beginning to fade. It is obvious that Murphy and Wright need a day off, Duda needs a platoon partner, and neither Young is our LF solution so Soup is on until he cools off.
Many great responses above, Name, Joe Gomes and Jim OMalley.
Eric Campbell should play everyday either first base or left field duda and young not the answer. Why is young batting 5 th he should bat tenth.
Off the topic, but I don’t understand why the Ruben Tejada out call at the plate in Sunday’s second game with the Diamond Backs wasn’t reviewed.
To me, the replay looked like the catcher clearly missed the tag…
In spite of what Ron Darling had to say about it….. Gary seemed to disagree….