Mets manager Terry Collins acknowledged today that he may need to consider dropping David Wright from the No. 2 slot in the batting order, but is not ready to make such a move now despite Wright’s recent struggles.
“At some point, if he continues to struggle, we’ll address that,” Collins said about Wright “He leads the team in on-base percentage. When you’re talking about the two-hole, you’re talking about guys getting on base. The issue is the strikeouts more than anything. This guy is not that kind of guy. He doesn’t usually strike out. That’s why they’re out there today trying to make a couple of adjustments, to certainly try to fix it.” (Adam Rubin, ESPN)
Wright is 2-for-21 during this current Mets road trip and is hitting .223 with four homers and eight RBI on the season. His 43 strikeouts are the 12th most in the major leagues, however his .381 on-base percentage from the No. 2 spot is second in the majors.
Wright, 33, hit 15 homers in batting practice Saturday, according to Mets hitting coach Kevin Long, who has been working with Wright to use the lower half of his body more to reduce the stress on his back.
“I’d like to, obviously, cut down on the strikeouts,” Wright said. “I’d like to consistently have better at-bats. But the fact that when I am struggling I’m still trying to find a way to get on base, I can look at that as a positive. I’d rather hit my way on base than walk. But if the walks are there I’ve got to take them.”
Can’t argue with Collins for leaving things as is, giving Wright some extra leeway, and not overreacting. Hopefully the extra work Wright is putting in will lead to some better results where his in extraordinarily high strikeout rate is concerned.
Here are the results of a poll we took on Wednesday on who the Mets should bat second between Wright and Asdrubal Cabrera.
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