Infield prospect Phillip Evans was promoted to the big league roster two weeks ago when the Mets only had four healthy infielders and were desperate for depth.
Evans, 25, got his first major league hit with a double against the Cincinatti Reds on September 9 but wouldn’t get his first start until September 17 against the Atlanta Braves. In that start, he went 1 for 4 with a double, RBI and run scored while playing third base.
The following day Evans had a hit off the bench and has followed that with two straight starts. Over the last two games, Evans has gone 3 for 8 with a run scored and has played both games at second base.
Evans has gotten two straight starts at second base over the higher rated prospect in Gavin Cecchini. Cecchini has struggled in the majors this year with a lowly .221/.254/.294 slash line in 71 plate appearances.
However, Cecchini was coming off five hits (two doubles) and three runs driven in over his last three starts from September 15 to September 18 before Evans started over him.
Evans was going to be a minor league free agent this offseason had the Mets not added him to the 40-man roster and he is being given a chance to see if he should keep that spot for the 2018 season.
