Jul 17, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Tim Locastro (33) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not the move everyone has been waiting for but it’s something.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Pat Ragazzo, the Mets are signing outfielder Tim Locastro to a minor league deal. He will have an invite to spring training.
Locastro, 30, spent 2022 with the Yankees. In 38 games he hit .186/.239/.349 with two home runs and four runs batted in. Locastro, well known for being a savvy base stealer swiped eight bags in the 11 times he got on base.
The right-handed outfielder began his career with the Dodgers but moved to Arizona where he had his most success. His best season was 2019 where he hit .250/.357/.340 in 91 games for the D-Backs, swiping 17 bases in the process.
Locastro likely won’t be anything but an in case of emergency player for the Mets but his ability to swipe bags will certainly keep him around. Think of him as the 2023 Terrance Gore.
Locastro failed to qualify for the vast majority of statcast percentile rankings but he did register for sprint speed which he’s in the 99th percentile for. Only six players registered as faster than him. The fastest-qualified player on the Mets last season was Brandon Nimmo, who ranked 92nd and in the 84th percentile.
