Travis d’Arnaud during an almost seven-year stint with the Mets never lived up to expectations with a combination of injuries and playing time. Have we not heard this many times about how a change of scenery can make a difference?
Well notice, Travis d’Arnaud is leading the Atlanta Braves to the NLCS. He is a regular in the lineup and has become a quality catcher. He led all major league catchers this season in batting average at .321, on base percentage (.386) and slugging (.533).
Mets fans don’t want to hear those statistics. For some reason, as is often the situation, the Mets always seem to get rid of a player who becomes an All-Star in different surroundings. For sure, d’Arnaud would have been a difference this year for the Mets.
The team struggled at the position. Wilson Ramos lacked in production. Tomas Nido missed time due to COVID. Robinson Chirinos, a veteran, acquired at the trade deadline, is not the All-Star he once was with the Texas Rangers.
So as the Mets and their fans watch October baseball, d’Arnaud has shined. He has become a quality catcher and leading his Braves team in the postseason.
And d’Arnaud is among the record holders in a category with catchers in the postseason, seven RBI, fourth all-time to go along with three big home runs. A statement of change for a career .263 hitter who played for three different teams last year before joining the Braves.
A former advanced scout with the Braves attributes this difference for d’Arnaud to a change of scenery, perhaps no pressure under the lights. Last year, in particular, 92 games with Tampa Bay and the Braves it was a new beginning.
He also came back to haunt his former team this season with the home run ball, and Mets pitching had a difficult time keeping d’Arnaud off the bases.
When reached for comment about d’Arnaud, the scout said “He is on the perfect team to be loose and happy. He just has less pressure compared to the Mets. The Rays are a laidback organization. So are the Braves. It’s all about being confident and happy.”
The Rays moved d’Arnaud to the leadoff spot and that could have been a key.
“He was able to see pitches he would not have seen batting at seven or eight in the order,” said the scout. “Nothing different with his swing. He has a better approach to his at bats.”
And the scout said, “At the catcher position he has had great pitchers to catch with both Mets and Tampa Bay. He is doing a great job with the young Braves pitchers.”
Though it all makes sense because baseball is that game where a change of scenery can make a difference. Ron Washington, the veteran manager and coach with the Braves, a reputation of working on players adjustments, has also been instrumental for d’Arnaud.
But, you would never know this is Travis d’Arnaud who had numerous stints on the DL in New York. Tommy John surgery, shuffling back-and-forth from Triple-A to Citi Field, and he could never live up to potential that came as part of a trade with Noah Syndergaard.
Thursday, d’Arnaud hit a two-run double to right in a four-run third inning that opened a door for Atlanta as they moved on to the NLCS for the first time since 2001. With a two-year contract, d’Arnaud is also making it difficult for Tyler Flowers to regain his starting spot in the lineup.
“Execution,” d’Arnaud said about his series that eliminated a surprising Marlins team from the postseason.
Thing is, d’Arnaud at times showed those signs with the Mets. He is now one of those who got away. He is one of those former players that has made an impact in the postseason.
Again, possibly that change of scenery and not in the limelight of the New York lights. Or this turnaround and potential is finally paying dividends with a different coaching staff that could not attack his deficiencies with the Mets.
“Now he is even catching better,” said the scout. “That old saying about a change of scenery was never more obvious. “
“Could be attributed to coaching,” said the scout. “He’s become a more disciplined hitter. Not being fooled as much. That could be because of Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. He has done great things with Dansby Swanson, Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley.”
“He is really good at what he does,” said the scout about Seitzer. This is obvious because the d’Arnaud at bats this season, against the Marlins and in the Wild Card series against the Reds, showed patience at the plate and hitting to all fields.
Regardless, Travis d’Arnaud is a different player. Not the player we saw at Citi Field with the Mets, though his attitude was always positive. He never moaned or complained, and when asked to comment in front of the media scrum it was always “I need to be better.”
Well, he is better. A much improved ballplayer is d’Arnaud with the Atlanta Braves. Then again, another Mets player who got away.
Rich Mancuso: Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
