In a season full of disappointment, outfielder Brandon Nimmo has been a beacon of positivity. He’s a well-rounded player who contributes with his eye at the plate, his bat in the box, his feet on the bases and his glove in the field. He hustles on every play like it’s game seven of the World Series. He smiles at every moment like it’s his first game in the big leagues. If only we had more than one of him on the roster, this team might start winning.
Nimmo is everything that the rest of the team is not. Our roster is loaded with slow, plodding players who can’t leg out ground ball hits, turn doubles into triples or advance two bases on a hit. We have too many one trick ponies – guys who can hit for power, but don’t do much of anything else. When these players stop hitting home runs, they strikeout, pop up and ground into rally killing double plays. Nimmo, even if he’s in a hitting slump, always finds a way to get on base, whether it’s drawing a tough walk or getting hit by a pitch. We have players like Amed Rosario, Wilmer Flores and Devin Mesoraco who would sooner strikeout flailing at a pitch out of the strike zone than draw a walk.
Nimmo hustles down the first base line, even on a routine pop-up. Other Mets nonchalantly trot down the line with no chance of beating out a throw if there’s a dropped fly. Half our team looks like they just sucked on a lemon (losing streaks will do that). Meanwhile, Nimmo has been dubbed “the happiest man in baseball” by Mets announcers. Other than Todd Frazier, who else on this team brings energy and enthusiasm to the dugout?
Indeed, Nimmo is blossoming into not only a viable leadoff hitter and valuable piece of the team, but a lineup catalyst. If the middle of our order were healthy and performing the way we expected, he’d be on his way to his first All-Star appearance and a 100-run season. Of course, if Yoenis Cespedes were healthy and Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto would hit like they’re supposed to, Jacob deGrom would be on his way to a Cy Young award and the Mets wouldn’t be mired in fourth place.
Matt- Wilmer Flores may be slow And not walk a lot, but one thing he does *not* do is strike out. His major league career rate is 13.5%; as a comparison Brandon Nimmo is at 26.5% and Daniel Murphy is at 12%. The rest of your piece is true, but lazy tropes like Flores striking out are just that: lazy.
Henry, relax. Flores does not draw a lot of walks. Everyone knows that. He’s never been a high OBP guy in his career. We all love Wilmer, except Chris F. You don’t fall in love with Wilmer by looking at his stats page. He’s never going to hit .300 or get on base at a .350 clip or steal bases or win a gold glove. But what he does do is hit home runs and doubles in really clutch spots. He’s also a home grown player who loves this team and city and is willing to play any position. He’s a keeper, even if he is less than perfect – kind of like a goofy sibling who’s always there for you.
Nimmo is a gem and has really stepped up and performed well. He has an incredible eye with the strike zone. He has far surpassed expectations.
I have to admit though, I was on the bandwagon to trade him for second baseman. I am glad that we keep him.
Too bad the National league doesn’t have the DH. Nimmo could DH for Bruce.
Flores is a solid role player and I’d like to see him start at second base when Cabrera is traded in July.
Flores is a 25th or 26th guy. nothing more, and potentially less. Slow as can be, a complete butcher in the field, an arm disconnected from his eyes and brain, and an ok hitter. In 500 games played, he owns a glowing 0.3 bWAR, yes, thats a 0.3; hey the good news it isnt negative! Lets not get all maudlin over Flores.