Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

By now, most Mets fans must know the very impressive numbers that Brandon Nimmo put up at the plate this season. Although he did not see enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title, Nimmo slashed .292/.401/.437, with his on-base percentage being just a few points shy of setting a new career high.

Because he played in just 92 games this year, we did not get to witness a full season of Nimmo’s unique playing style, perhaps most notable because of his max-out effort on all balls put into play – not to mention sprinting to first on walks.

As underrated as Nimmo is, his talent as a baseball player cannot be fully evaluated without assessing his defense, which was one of the major improvements of his game this season.

Despite playing just slightly more than half the Mets games this season, Nimmo played improved outfield defense, making 84 appearances in center field and playing 10 games in left field.

Here’s how his defensive numbers looked in 2021:

The state of defensive metrics in baseball is a complicated one. Each advanced defensive stat has its own unique formula, and can often not be computed by simple math. Comparison to league averages further complicates things compared to more traditional stats. Since relying on the numerical side of the picture alone tends to not be adequate enough, the old-fashioned “eye-test” should be taken into consideration as well.

Let’s take a look at a few of Nimmo’s more spectacular catches this year.

August 16, 2021 at Oracle Park. 8th inning, 1 out, 2-1 count. Giants lead the Mets, 7-5 

In a late and close game in San Francisco, Nimmo dove forward to make the catch, popping back on his feet within seconds of securing the out. Had this ball got past Nimmo, it would have likely gone for extra-bases. perhaps even a triple if it rolled all the way to the fence – given that no other fielders were in the vicinity on the play.

September 18, 2021 at Citi Field. 2nd inning, 2 outs, 2-2 count. Phillies lead the Mets, 1-0.

Nimmo’s grab here was snatched out of the air just inches before landing on the ground for what would have been a run-scoring hit for Philadelphia. It took a full-body extension that resulted in Nimmo on his hands and knees in the outfield, but it ended the inning while the Phillies stranded a runner in scoring position.

September 25, 2021 at American Family Field. 7th inning, 0 outs, 3-1 count. Brewers lead the Mets, 2-1. 

In Milwaukee, Nimmo – and again, this is based off the eye-test here – made the farthest run, by far, of any of these three catches, before recording the out. On a sharply-hit line drive with a low launch angle, Nimmo dove to his right to record the first out of the inning, narrowly avoiding an elbow injury in the process.

Nimmo has spent significant playing time at all three outfield spots throughout his major league career. But based on the highlight-worthy catches and improved numbers this season, he’s certainly shown he can play center field. A full season of Nimmo playing behind an improved rotation is a good formula to keep runs off the board next year.