Next up in our projection review series, we’ll take a look at the forgotten man of the Mets, Eric Young, Jr.
In spring training, Manager Terry Collins caused a small stir when he off-handedly mentioned that Young, Jr. – with his superlative speed — would make an ideal lead-off hitter for a club that was lacking an obvious candidate for that lineup spot. It didn’t take all that long for that plan to be abandoned and Chris Young be handed the left field job as soon as he was healthy. It turned out to be a matter of debate as to whether Young, Jr. might have been an improvement over the other Young. The fact was that even a “traditionalist” like Terry Collins could see that Young, Jr. simply didn’t reach base often enough to stay in the lead-off spot, no matter how swift he might be. Most of the time, it was either Curtis Granderson or Juan Lagares starting things off. As a result, Eric Young, Jr. languished on the pine for long stretches of the season.
Here’s what we at the ol’ Three Six Oh thought he would do:
PA – 376
AVG – .257
OBP – .322
SLG – .356
HR – 2
RBI – 29
SB – 28
Here’s how Young, Jr. actually did with the best and worst individual projections among our group.
PA – 316
Best – Ferguson (350)
Worst – O’Malley (576)
AVG – .229
Best – Parker (.230)
Worst – McCarthy (.274)
OBP – .299
Best – Walendin (.301)
Worst – Ferguson (.349)
SLG – .311
Best – Parker (.325)
Worst – Hangley (.381)
HR – 1
Best – Ferguson, Koehler (1) !
Worst – Hangley (6)
RBI – 17
Best – Parker (20)
Worst – Hangley (41) Boy, did I miss the boat, here.
SB – 30
Best – Ferguson, Koehler, Manners (30) !
Worst – Parker (15)
Clearly, I was a bit more bullish on Young, Jr. than any of my colleagues, at least in the power department. In any case, Young, Jr’s. season looks like a classic illustration of the “Peter Principle” – the theory that each individual will eventually rise or fall to a position befitting his or her natural skills — in action. Young, Jr. became what most projected him to be: a fourth or fifth outfielder with speed and a good glove. His status is also hampered by the fact that two younger players – Matt den Dekker and Kirk Nieuwenhuis – bring similar skill sets to the team, at a cheaper price tag at the moment.
For all his exciting speed, 2014 might be the last time we see Eric Young, Jr. in a Mets uniform.
Follow me on Twitter @CharlieHangley.
I think he could be non-tendered. Just a feeling.
I always thought the Peter Principle was being promoted until you reached a position you were unqualified for — or you rose to the level where you achieved incompetence.
For example(s): jeff wilpon
Terry Collins
Maybe I meant something like “Water seeks its own level” or something like that.
A 610 OPS isn’t enough to stay on the team with a $1.85m salary. Kirk and MDD are better and less expensive players. EY will probably be non tendered. He could not even achieve his modest career numbers.
Loved watching him steal a base, hated watching him hack at balls in the dirt. A year and a half of that is enough for me.
Although he would be more expensive than Kirk and MDD, there is something about having a guy who can steal a base off the bench that I think is crucial in baseball. The other two may offer better production, but I like having EYJR coming off the bench.
While you may “like” him there on the bench but wouldn’t you “prefer” if the Mets applied that 2 million+ for an upgrade at SS or LF? If the team had the luxury of competent owners who would provide their GM with a payroll more in line with the market they play in then perhaps you can carry dead weight until an opportunity comes up once a week for his services.