Wow… I’m not one of those bloggers who jumps up and down and says “Ooooh! Ooooh! I was right!” whenever something I strongly advocated for proves to be hugely successful. Mostly because I’m wrong just as often as I’m right.
But even in my wildest dreams did I ever expect Neil Walker to burst out of the gate the way he has since replacing Daniel Murphy at second base for the New York Mets. I’m just as stunned by his incredible power display as you are.
I had a great fear that giving a four year deal to Ben Zobrist would have led to disastrous consequences for the New York Mets, and it wasn’t just about an age-related decline. When the news broke that the Chicago Cubs had swooped in at the last minute and signed Zobrist right as the Mets were getting set to make a huge announcement – I stood up and applauded. I didn’t care that for 24 hours the Mets were left with egg on their face, the Cubs spared them from making a colossal mistake.
My guy all along was Neil Walker.
For one, he was a one-year stopgap until Dilson Herrera was ready to take over in 2017. Secondly, not only do we gain a pick by not bringing back Daniel Murphy, but I argued that we could make Walker a qualifying offer after the 2016 season and gain a second first round pick for the 2017 draft. Third, Walker could have a huge season in his walk-year, but most of all, the switch-hitter was a better fit, upgraded our defense, and gave us more power.
Last night, during the Mets 5-2 win over the Reds, Neil Walker blasted his ninth home run of the season and is now tied with Bryce Harper of the Nationals for the major league lead. In the process, the Mets won their sixth consecutive game, and Walker had a huge hand in four of those contests.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” Walker said after the game. “Maybe it’s my age. Maybe I’m carrying more weight in my body — I’m not — but I really don’t know. I don’t feel any different. I’m not approaching my at-bats any different. I’m just trying to be aggressive especially with fastballs and just trying to stay on them and hit strikes.” (NY Post)
Walker’s mighty clout came on a 2-0 fastball by Cincinnati’s Jon Moscot in the third inning, and it was a no-doubter… you knew was gone as soon as he made contact.
It made Walker the fourth Mets player in franchise history to hit nine homers in April, joining Dave Kingman (1976), Carlos Delgado (2006) and John Buck (2013). John Buck? 🙂
Walker has now walloped eight home runs over his last 12 games, 10 of which were victories for the Mets. He now has 16 RBI this month, also a career high, easily besting his previous best of 11 RBI in 2014.
“A change of scenery can make a lot of difference once in a while,” said Terry Collins after the game. “Right now he’s swinging great, seeing the ball good and he’s putting good swings on certain pitches and doing damage.”
The new Mets second base man emphasized something important when asked about his home run.
“I’m seeing the ball well, I’m barreling balls up. They’re not singles, they’re turning into balls in the seats. It’s obviously been a good April. More than that, at-bats like my first one today — I was able to drive a runner in from second with two outs — are important, too.”
Situational hitting. Perhaps the team’s most significant shortcoming so far this season. I’m confident the Mets will get better in that area, but I liked that Walker pointed out the significance of getting those runners in from scoring position. We need to start seeing more of that.
But getting back to Walker, wow, what a score… It’s like striking gold. Thanks, Sandy.
