Mar
14
2012

Nickeas and Thole Responding To Manager’s Challenges

An article by Joe D

Last month I posted my thoughts on Josh Thole and how the heat was on for him this spring, and that he wasn’t going to be handed the starting catching job on a silver platter. Thole knows exactly what’s at stake:

“I’m getting to a point where we’re not in a trial-and-error period anymore,” Thole said. “It is what it is. If I don’t catch well over the course of this year, it will be a matter of who’s next, they’ll keep the line moving, and I can’t have that.”

But Thole isn’t the only one with his job on the line, backup catcher Mike Nickeas needs to prove to both Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson that he can produce at the major league level or he’ll be cut in a New York minute.

Nickeas was told he needs to cut down that big swing and make it more compact, and unless he can hit at a minimally acceptable level he won’t be long for this team.

But here’s the thing….

Have you noticed the inspired play from spring invitee Lucas May?

I bet Thole and Nickeas are watching.

May is a converted shortstop, but has made big strides as a catcher. He’s having one of the best springs in camp so far batting .357 in 7 games with 3 RBIs. Last season he batted .286 for the Kansas City Royals in a small sampling of 14 games, and in very limited play he has a .300 career batting average. He may get a real legitimate shot to stick, but even if he starts out in Buffalo, he’ll be breathing down Nickeas’ neck.

I know there are those who say spring stats don’t matter, but I don’t buy into that and most managers use spring stats to determine the winner of many a spring battle or competition.

That said, I’m not so sure May will go north with the team when all is said and done, but he may have influenced the hot starts from both Nickeas (.364) and Thole (.308) this spring. And that’s a good thing.

About the Author: Joe DeCaro

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.

12 Comments + Add Comment

srt March 14, 2012 at 4:10 pm

I have noticed both May and Nickeas making some noise this spring.
Unfortunately, neither has much competition to overcome.

Whoever goes North, I’m just hoping he’s a solid defender and can call a good game. Niese and Pelf especially could use all the help.
- Joe D March 14, 2012 at 4:18 pm
  
  Yes I totally agree. I would have loved to have signed Doumit this offseason, but too late for that. My biggest concern is to have a true veteran catcher for when Harvey, Familia and Wheeler arrive.
  - srt March 14, 2012 at 4:22 pm
    
    All we heard lately, with the passing of Gary Carter, was how much of a difference maker he was behind the plate with a relatively young pitching staff.
    So yes, I agree with you on that point.
Des March 14, 2012 at 4:41 pm

We’ll look at Mike Pelfrey’s numbers at the end of the season. If he doesn’t improve a lot on last year’s 6%CS, the Mets need to evaluate Dan Warthen, Josh Thole and anybody else who catches ten games or so with Mike on the mound. The problems with Mike holding runners to the base they’re on, belongs to Warthen and Thole. Either a lot of slide steps need to be made or another way to get a quick release must be implemented. Last yeay 29 of 31 attempts against Pelf and our catchers were successful. This is unacceptable. It just about turns every single and walk into a double. Thole must get the ball off better too.
Mr North Jersey March 14, 2012 at 5:01 pm

The game finally comes to an end with the Mets losing 7-6. When the lineup starts off with,
2B Valdespin
SS Quintanilla
DH Pascucci
C Vinny Rottino
LF Juan Lagares
1B Josh Satin
RF Cesar Puello
3B Lucas May
CF Matt Den Decker

Your bound to see some ugly plays and sure enough there was.
Ahh Spring Training.
- Mr North Jersey March 14, 2012 at 5:04 pm
  
  includes* not start. my bad
- srt March 14, 2012 at 5:05 pm
  
  Just some observations:
  Flores is really inexperienced playing 3rd and twice now this spring, once he makes a mistake out there, he compounds it trying to compensate. Inexperience.
  
  Gee didn’t look too bad, other than the Cabrera walk and Fielder HR. Typical Gee outing.
  
  Not like we didn’t have base runners, but as usual the LOB numbers were ugly.
  
  Egbert? I’m not even sure I know who this is. LOL.
  - Mr North Jersey March 14, 2012 at 5:09 pm
    
    Yea Flores didnt look good today and that backhand shovel pass by Turner at SS today wasn’t that pretty either. Though he was playing out of position at SS. Seemed like most everyone was playing out of position.
    - srt March 14, 2012 at 5:11 pm
      
      I don’t think Flores has many games under his belt at 3rd and he’s young so long way to go.
      Turner at SS….all I’m going to say is make it back soon, Ruben.
      - Mr North Jersey March 14, 2012 at 5:13 pm
        
        LoL, speaking of getting back soon has there even been a sighting of Reese Havens this week?
        
        srt March 14, 2012 at 5:19 pm
        
        Not that I’ve seen or heard. That kid just cannot stay healthy.
        I don’t think I’ve seen him play yet in any year at any ST games.
Kay March 14, 2012 at 8:41 pm

My one complaint of Alderson would be I had hoped he could have/would have put more attention on the catching position.

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