While the Mets plethora of pitching prospects often receives the most attention, they have some talented offensive players in the minors as well. In an excellent article for the New York Post, Fred Kerber spoke with Brandon Nimmo and Kevin Plawecki– two young hitters about to enter their first big league camp.
Nimmo, the 13th pick in the 2011 draft, had a great season in 2013 for the Mets Low-A affiliate in Savannah. In 110 games for the Sand Gnats, the Wyoming native hit .273/.397/.359 with 24 extra base hits while manning centerfield defensively. For his efforts, the Mets rewarded him with a invite to Spring Training.
“I told my dad, ‘If it feels this good to get called to big league spring training, I can’t wait to get the call up to the big leagues,’ ” Nimmo told Kerber. “I’m going there to learn. I’ll keep my ears open, my mouth shut.”
Plawecki, a catcher drafted 35th overall in 2012, had perhaps the most impressive 2013 of any Mets hitting prospect. The Purdue University product hit .305/.390/.448 with a staggering 47 extra base hits– including 38 doubles– while splitting his season between Low-A Savannah and High-A St. Lucie. The slugging backstop will join Nimmo in camp.
“Hopefully I can learn from all the guys at the big league camp, soak in and absorb all the information I can, pick as many brains as I can,” Plawecki tells the Post. “In baseball, it’s who can be the most consistent the whole season and who can ride the highs and not get down on themselves during the lows.”
Paul DePodesta, Mets Vice President of Player Development and Scouting, spoke about his talented duo.
“We were thrilled with the year [Plawecki] had,” said DePodesta . “He played in two pretty difficult environments but certainly more than held his own, especially playing such a premium defensive position.”
“We’re excited to see what this year brings,” DePo says of Nimmo. “He’ll be a 20-year-old while he’s in major league camp. He continues to get better, stronger, filling out as he becomes a man physically.”
These two are part of an impressive group of hitters in the Mets minors that may be getting overlooked. As a fan, you have to love the attitude these guys are bringing with them to camp. Neither is talking about turning heads or making the team. They know they’re simply there to learn. Hopefully this taste of the Show gives them motivation to continue to work hard to attain their goals.
Information from the New York Post was used in completing this article.
