The Mets come into spring training with extremely high hopes of making the postseason for a franchise-record third year in a row. There are several players on the team that has solidified spots on the roster for the upcoming campaign. There are also several players that need to prove themselves this spring in order to either make the 40 man roster or to make a good impression on the organization.
After a sophomore slump for the ages last season, Conforto is poised to have a strong year. Entering spring training many expected Conforto to be a strong candidate for a bench role. Through nine games, Conforto has hit a smooth .360 paired with two home runs and a 1.025 OPS. He has been dedicated to stealing a starting spot in the outfield, and his play has only reflected his hard work ethic. He is so dedicated to making the starting lineup that he passed on the opportunity to play for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, something that teammates Brandon Nimmo and Gavin Cecchini decided to participate in. Whether or not Conforto cracks the opening lineup, he has impressed many people throughout the league.
With a career that has so far been defined by injuries and inconsistency, d’Arnaud is looking for stability entering the 2017 campaign. Up to this point, the Mets have been dedicated to sticking with d’Arnaud as their everyday starting catcher. Through eight games this spring, d’Arnaud has hit a scintillating .455 with two home runs and a 1.296 OPS. These are of course promising numbers for d’Arnaud, but they will all be for naught if he fails to stay healthy. If d’Arnaud can stay healthy, watch out for him to have a strong season.
After ending his 2016 season with surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Harvey is hoping for a strong bounce back season. In 2016, Harvey pitched to a 4-10 record with a 4.86 ERA in 17 games. Harvey is looking for a strong spring to kickstart a strong 2017 campaign. So far, his spring has begun with a rocky start. In his first outing, Harvey lasted 1.2 innings while giving up four hits and four earned runs, with the big blow being a three-run home run. While one rocky start does not define the trajectory of a season, it would have been more soothing to see Harvey perform better. Look for Harvey to return to form in his next start.
Thought of as the Mets top prospect, Rosario is in the major league camp looking to show why he has earned that title. While he is not expected to make the team, he may want to build up his case to become a late-season call-up. So far this spring, Rosario has hit .318 with a .682 OPS. While these numbers don’t particularly stand out, Rosario is out to prove that he can play at a higher level. So far, he has shown his tools and he looks impressive. Don’t be surprised if, in late July or early August, Rosario is gracing the field for the Mets.
Often thought of as the forgotten man in the Mets bullpen, Edgin enters the 2017 season wanting to make his mark. Edgin has been overlooked as a solid left-handed option out of the bullpen. So far this spring, Edgin has not made a strong impression. In 4.2 innings, Edgin has given up three earned runs, three walks, and has surrendered a home run. For Edgin, who is trying to make the bullpen, this is not a positive sign. There is plenty of time to perform better this spring, though, so Edgin can always do better and make a run at a spot in the bullpen.
I wonder if we are going to see the real Dark Knight ever again. That last surgery was no joke, and it has finished careers. Too soon to tell. Will he become the next Paul Wilson, struggling to get by, hang out? I don’t know.
Barring a trade or roster shuffle, I don’t think Conforto has a chance with this team, regardless of what he does in the spring. Or in AAA.
Has Josh Edgin ever been good for a three month stretch in his entire career? I don’t think so. And now with the injuries piling up, well, oh well. I have never counted him as a consistent contributor, never even had much hope. At this point, he’s got a long way to go. I wish him health.
Big season for Travis. I don’t think what he does in March in Florida particularly matters, beyond what it might portend.
Hopefully Rosario does enough to give the organization the confidence it needs to believe they can bring him up and play him everyday at SS. That he’ll be a consistent, rangy, strong-armed glove who will hit enough. I fully expect to see him make an impact this season for the NY Mets.
I predicted the first three names in order, but I would have gone with Jose Reyes. He was already a super-sub and now he’s gonna be the starting third baseman. Hope he has something in the tank.
I think #2 on your list, d’Arnaud has been the big story so far. He could well be a middle of the order batter this year instead of mostly hitting eighth as he did last season.
My thoughts on your list:
Conforto – I know everyone wants him to tear things up and force management’s hand but I just don’t believe that’s the way this front office operates. He’ll need an injury or trade to get consistent playing time; what he does in ST simply won’t move the needle.
TDA – Management is committed but a big ST could get the fans in his corner, too.
Harvey – JP’s Wilson comparison scares me because we have to recognize that’s on the table as a possibility. I’d certainly like to see a good ST but I’d gladly sacrifice results for health and velocity.
Rosario – His inclusion here is silly. He has zero chance to make the roster and what he does in the minors is 1,000X more important than what he does in Florida.
Edgin – He’s the first guy who actually belongs on this list.
The guys who would benefit most from a standout spring are the guys who could replace David Wright on the roster (TJ Rivera, Matt Reynolds, Gavin Cecchini, Phillip Evans) or who are battling for relief spots (Tom Gorzelanny, Adam Wilk, Josh Smoker, Sean Gilmartin, Rafael Montero, Erik Goeddel, Paul Sewald.)
Conforto needs to keep up with Duda and Bruce this spring in order to gain a roster spot. A Duda/Bruce split at first base vs RHP with Flres always starting vs LHP along with a Conforto/Bruce split in RF should result in a three way split of at bats vs RHP with two power threats on the bench. Conforto seems to be accomplishing this.
TDA and Harvey already made the team and don’t belong on your list. Rosario was a long shot and although impressive he was not impressive enough to make the opening day roster.
TJ Rivera is still producing and looks like the favorite to be a bench player because of his position flexibility and the Wright disability.
Edgin is on thin ice and has not produced the same results as his pre surgury days.He is also is out of options. The competition for the bullpen spots are really the players
that need to stand out.
Respectfully, I think your Conforto “split” concept is pure fantasy.
Three players, all LH batters, shuffling in and out, constantly losing rhythm, not knowing if they will be in the lineup, is not going to happen and should never happen.
Any club would prefer to make a call on the best two guys, then leave them alone to allow them to produce.
In a game of streaks, the “hot hand” theory is a dangerous fantasy. Players can’t thrive, can’t keep their eye on the ball, if they are constantly looking over their shoulder.
My fear is that if Conforto goes north, he sits on the bench and wastes away, loses his edge, his confidence, his everything. I’d never go with a promising young guy for the role of 5th outfielder. It’s a job for a veteran, ideally.
Until SA makes a roster move, or there’s a significant injury, every possible scenario is bad for Michael Conforto, IMO.
TJ Rivera would have been the next one on the list. I think he has proven that he can play at the major league level, and he should be on the roster come opening day.
It is very realistic that Adam Wilk beats out Edgin for a roster spot, and so far this spring, Wilk has been the more deserving candidate.
I think it’s more realistic that they go with Gorzelanny, assuming no one steps up in a big way.
All things being equal, they will go with the veteran.