I’ve previewed non-roster invitees to camp for the better part of a decade, and writing one for Tomás Nido is one of the strangest experiences I’ve ever had. I know Nido! You know Nido! Francisco Lindor even listed him as the teammate he couldn’t wait to see at the beginning of spring training.
Nido was selected by the Mets in the eighth round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Orangewood Christian School in Maitland, Florida. He quickly rose up the ranks in the minor leagues and debuted with the big-league club in 2017 before taking over as the primary backup to Wilson Ramos in 2019. Nido assumed that same role under James McCann in 2021, but he went on to supersede him in 2022 and was the team’s primary catcher during its 101-win campaign.
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After finishing as one of the three Gold Glove finalists at the position in the National League that season, Nido was rewarded with a two-year, $3.7 million contract extension and was expected to receive his fair share of playing time heading into 2023 despite the signing of Omar Narváez and arrival of top prospect Francisco Álvarez.
So, how did we get here? Nido essentially began last season as the backup to Narváez. Narváez was placed on the 60-day injured list early in the season with a calf strain and Álvarez was called up to join Nido and split catching duties. On May 11, the Mets placed Nido on the injured list with dry-eye syndrome and recalled Michael Pérez.
After completing his rehab assignment, Nido was activated in late May and then subsequently designated for assignment in the first week of June to open up a roster spot for Narváez. He went unclaimed on waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse, where he played for the rest of the season and slashed .282/.336/.393 over 39 games and 146 plate appearances.
In 22 games last season at the major league level, he hit .125/.153/.125 over 61 plate appearances, which translated to a -22 OPS+. That represented a massive departure from his 2022 performance where he played in 98 games, hitting .239/.276/.324 over 313 plate appearances with a 72 OPS+. He also led the league in sacrifice hits that year with 12.
Nido is not in the lineup for his offense though as defense is his calling card. In 2022, he was in the 94th percentile in fielding run value according to Baseball Savant. Additionally, he was in the 92nd percentile in blocks above average and 90th for framing.
We will likely see Nido at some point this year in Queens. He knows the pitching staff well, and in Syracuse he has, and will continue, to work with the pitchers of the future. If there is a long-term injury to a catcher or the Mets are able to move Omar Narváez, it will be Nido time again in Queens!
