You can say what you will about this Mets team, but I think we are all in agreement that Brandon Nimmo is a joy to watch play this game we call baseball.
He has been producing all season, but now that Juan Lagares is likely out for the year and Yoenis Cespedes is on the shelf as well, Nimmo has been starting every day. It has been paying dividends, as he’s been a phenomenal leadoff hitter for the Amazin’s.
“Juan was having such a great year, and we don’t want to see anybody go down,” Nimmo said. “He was having a great year, he was supporting the team, he was helping everybody. He’s a good guy in the clubhouse, you hate to lose that, first and foremost. Second, with injuries, other guys have to step up. So I realize that my role will be more of an everyday starter kind of guy and I hope I can do the best of my ability with that role. I got to do it a little bit last year, in August and September, and I thought we did pretty well with it.”
The best lead-off men don’t only reach base, or steal bases, but they energize their team and get rallies started. Nimmo has done a phenomenal job of that as it seems like most of the Mets’ scoring opportunities have begun with a smiling Nimmo jogging down to first base after working a full-count walk.
He was certainly in the center of all the action this weekend, going 3-for-11 (.273) with a double, two walks, and three runs scored. His on-base percentage now sits at .435 for the season, which would be tops in the National League if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. Only Mike Trout (.440) and Mookie Betts (.438) have better marks.
“My job is to get on base, and the product of that is going to be driving some balls,” Nimmo said after Friday’s win. “Any way that I can get on base, any way that I can help this team — this offense has to become more consistent on an everyday basis, and have that pitching and hitting click at the same time. Any way I can help that I am going to try.”
Nimmo has also stolen two bases in the last two games, showcasing his sneaky-fast sprint speed. One of those stolen bases came in the 7th inning as after the Mets scored three runs on home runs by Asdrubal Cabrera and Brandon Nimmo, Nimmo singled. With Jay Bruce at the plate, Nimmo stole second to put himself in scoring position. Bruce ended up striking out, but there was Nimmo at second base where he needed to be.
Saturday night, with the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Nimmo hit a scorching double down the left field line to start the inning. This was also a great sign as it was his first hit against a lefty this season. After Cabrera laid down a sacrifice bunt (which actually ended up being a hit) and moving Nimmo to third, Wilmer Flores hit a sacrifice fly to score Brandon and win the game.
So far this season, Nimmo is slashing .268/.435/.465 with two doubles, three triples, and two home runs. He has also stolen three bases without getting caught.
It is unclear what will happen to Nimmo’s playing time when Yoenis Cespedes returns, but in the meantime, he will surely continue to get on base and produce scoring opportunities for the hitters behind him.
