According to Jeremiah Johnke of the Wyoming Tribune, the Mets have promoted outfielder Brandon Nimmo from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Nimmo was hitting .328/.409/.508 with 16 doubles, seven triples, five homers and 37 RBI for the 51s.
Nimmo, 23, was GM Sandy Alderson’s first draft pick when he selected Brandon out of Wyoming with the 13th overall pick in the 2011 draft. He has been on fire in June, hitting .388/.459/.612 in 65 at-bats with 11 walks compared to 14 strikeouts.
In the corresponding move the Mets are demoting the slumping Michael Conforto to AAA where he has never played a game. Conforto has been mired in a long slump, hitting only .148/.217/.303 in his last 142 at-bats.
Thoughts by Joe D.
This is a bold move and the right move by Sandy Alderson. Conforto’s slump was even more magnified in a lineup that struggled to consistently produce runs.
Clearly, Conforto was pressing and kept getting worse as his once-perfect swing was completely out of whack as he kept swinging for the fences and chasing balls out of the strike zone.
This is not the end for Conforto who had an incredible rise from Single-A to the Majors last season. He is still the team’s left fielder of the future. Some time in Triple-A will make him a better hitter and he can go back to doing the things that made him so successful.
You all know my thoughts on Nimmo as I’ve been saying he was ready for this opportunity for weeks. I love his approach and ability to get on base.
As I told a number of you who disagreed with me last week, forget his PCL numbers – it’s his .390 OBP in six minor league seasons that is what the Mets need right now.
Bottom Line… The Mets just got infinitely better today and with the forthcoming addition of Jose Reyes, they head into the Nationals series in DC with a revamped lineup and rejuvenated team. Today could be a turning point for the season.
