In Brandon Nimmo’s first start since returning from the injured list, he did what he does best – he got on base. Nimmo reached in his first three trips to the plate – two walks and a double – before finally being retired on a line out to left field.
“I have really missed these guys,” Nimmo said. “To be able to come back and contribute right away and feel like part of the team again, it was really big for me.” (Quote via SNY)
Despite missing more than three months on the IL, Nimmo hasn’t showed signs of rust and looks like the disciplined hitter that produced a .886 OPS in 2018. In his first plate appearance Monday afternoon, Nimmo worked a ten pitch plate appearance against the Nationals’ Joe Ross to reach base on a walk.
Nimmo would walk again in his next trip to the plate, and then attacked the first pitch of his at-bat in the fourth inning for a double. He finished the day 1-for-3, after striking out in his last at-bat in the ninth inning.
Including his pinch-hitting appearance Sunday night, Nimmo has reached base in four out of his six trips to the plate since returning from the IL.
Even when Nimmo slumps, he remains a tough out. Nimmo now holds a .355 OBP this season, despite his early season struggles. Nimmo had a .671 OPS in 36 starts before going on the IL, but over his career, Nimmo owns a .813 OPS and .384 OBP
Nimmo erupted in 2018 with a 149 wRC+ that lead the team and ranked 6th in the MLB. While he may not be able replicate this kind of elite production, the Mets would certainly settle for his career triple slash line of .253/.384/.429, especially since it’s an improvement over the Mets’ other outfielders, like Juan Lagares‘ .654 career OPS.
With the Mets needing to play excellent baseball in September to have a shot at the Wild Card, having a hitter like Nimmo back in the lineup will help their chances tremendously.
