Wally Backman takes a photo with avid Mets fan Reymundo at the QBC
Always a fan favorite, Wally Backman was a big hit on Saturday at the Queens Baseball Convention where he signed autographs, took photos with fans, and participated in a Q&A panel with ESPN’s Adam Rubin.
Backman, who will return for his fourth season as manager of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, had a lot of great things to say about the state of the Mets farm system.
He tabbed outfielder Michael Conforto as the best hitting prospect in the organization, and said LHP Steven Matz was the best pitching prospect Mets have.
Bill Price of the Daily News did a nice job of summarizing what Backman had to say, as the 1986 Mets hero spent the day raving about many of the Mets prospects and even calling the organization’s pitching pipeline “second to none.”
Speaking about the Mets number one ranked prospect Noah Syndergaard, Backman said “he has the stuff to win a Cy Young,” but also said he has some things to work on. “His command is an issue and he’s slow from the stretch, but he has the stuff.”
Backman spoke highly about the offensive potential of Wilmer Flores, whom he believes will be a big run producer. However, he pulled no punches and said his biggest concern for the 2015 Mets is the up-the-middle defense of Flores and second baseman Daniel Murphy.
“Are we going to be able to turn those double plays that get us out of an inning?” asked Backman. Well that’s certainly the big question heading into the season, no doubt about that.
I really love Backman and just find his straightforward and honest demeanor so refreshing. He’s such an intelligent baseball guy and a wonderful judge of talent. I hope he does eventually get a shot to manage in the big leagues – and if it does happen, I sincerely do hope it’s with the Mets. It just feels right.
