On Sunday afternoon, the New York Mets were defeated by the Houston Astros 10-1 in their second game of Spring Training play. For the first time this spring, 2018 National League Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom took the mound. He allowed one run over an inning of work.
Offensively, top prospect Pete Alonso continued his strong start to the spring. After homering in his first at-bat on Saturday afternoon, Alonso lined a two out double to right-center field in the bottom of the first yesterday.
Alonso wasn’t the only member of the Mets offense who showed up on Sunday afternoon. Making his Spring Training debut, newly acquired catcher Wilson Ramos went 2-for-2 with a pair of opposite field singles.
“I took two quality at-bats.. I waited for my pitch, and that’s what I’m trying to do right now. Take a good approach at the plate, put together a quality at-bat, and see what happens next,” Ramos told reporters postgame.
Mets fans should get used to seeing Ramos go the other way, as MMO’s own Mathew Brownstein pointed out that the slugger had 38 opposite field hits last season, which was the most among all catchers.
Despite injury problems throughout his career, the veteran backstop also told reporters that he is feeling really good right now after working hard all offseason.
“I feel 100 percent right now, I’ve been working hard this offseason and during spring training,” Ramos said. He also added that he was “really excited” to catch deGrom, one of the top pitchers in the game, for the first time this season.
“I’m trying to know him better, and get on the same page. It was the first time, but I feel really comfortable behind the plate right now. And I want to be able to help him, and learn more about him,” Ramos said.
The Mets signed Ramos to a two-year, $19 million deal this offseason. Last season Ramos split the year with the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies, and he preformed well enough to be named to his second career All Star Game. Over a combined 111 games, Ramos hit .306/.358/.487 with 22 doubles, 15 home runs, a 130 OPS+, and an .845 OPS.
