Brandon Nimmo Plays Waiting Game
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.—Brandon Nimmo made a solid impression in a 32-game big league debut last year, but a crowded outfield could land him at Triple-A Las Vegas.
As spring training began, the Mets had Yoenis Cespedes, Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce and Juan Lagares locked into spots, with Michael Conforto the favorite to complete the outfield rotation.
The 24-year-old Nimmo, a lefthanded hitter and 2011 first-round pick out of high school in Cheyenne, Wyo., hit .274/.338/.329 for the Mets last season.
“What I saw him do at the plate late in September spoke volumes,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “I think this kid is really going to develop into a good hitter. I saw absolutely no problems with him facing lefties—he swung the bat very well and hit the ball hard. You saw the energy he brings to the team.”
Nimmo made his debut last June after the Mets demoted the slumping Conforto to Las Vegas. Nimmo also had stints with the Mets in August and September.
“Our impression of (Nimmo) was very positive, especially for a young guy who ended up in a part-time role but making a contribution,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. “You don’t see that very often in a young player.”
Nimmo projects primarily as a corner outfielder, but the Mets’ immediate need is for depth in center.
“I am not sure he can play (center field) on a daily basis,” Collins said, “but we are going to play him in spring training in all three positions.”
Nimmo hit .352/.423/.541 in 97 games at Las Vegas last year and led the Pacific Coast League in on-base percentage.
The Mets may favor letting Nimmo take regular at-bats at Triple-A to start the season over coming off the bench in the major leagues.
“That is something we will determine in spring training,” Alderson said.
NEW YORK MINUTES
• The Mets sold 23-year-old righthander Gabriel Ynoa, who made his big league debut in 2016, to the Orioles to create a 40-man roster spot to re-sign Fernando Salas.
• The Mets outrighted third baseman Ty Kelly to Triple-A after he cleared waivers. They invited him to big league camp.
— Mike Puma covers the Mets for the New York Post
Comments are closed.