With Travis d’Arnaud nearing a return from the disabled list, Terry Collins says that sending down Kevin Plawecki will be a hard decision.
Even though Plawecki is batting only .205 with two home runs and 10 RBI during 21 games, Collins is impressed with how he has played defensively and handled the pitching staff. (Kristie Ackert, NY Daily News)
“He’s done great, he has played very well,” Terry Collins said before Wednesday night’s 9-0 loss to the Cardinals at Citi Field. “He’s caught the ball very well, he’s blocked the ball very well, he’s actually thrown better. He threw out (speedy Marlins second baseman) Dee Gordon, and that’s a big assignment for anybody.
“He works very, very hard with what he does. His pregame is outstanding. During the game, we talk to him about pitch selection, but I will tell you one thing, he has an idea of what he wants to do,” the Mets manager said. “Sometimes, it’s not executed. Sometimes it might be and in our estimation, it might be the wrong pitch, but there is a purpose to why he calls it and what he calls.
“I think that is a sign of a guy who is going to be real good.”
Before landing on the disabled list, d’Arnaud was batting .317 with 10 RBI and a .892 OPS in 11 games.
“That is going to be a tough call,” Collins said. “When Travis comes back, you are looking at two guys who both should be playing. That’s hard to do when both have to be out there.”
Thoughts:
The Mets are blessed with two outstanding young options at the Catching position, but demoting Plawecki is the best move for the team and his development.
D’Arnaud is the more seasoned and experienced player at the moment, and having Plawecki on the bench is just not a good idea.
He needs to be playing everyday, even if that means sending him down to Triple-A, so he can continue to develop and improve his skills.
