Best Mets center fielder candidates: Ranking five of the most enticing options

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrates scoring on a Jose Altuve #27 RBI double during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 16, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrates scoring on a Jose Altuve #27 RBI double during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 16, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 27: Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets prepares for a pitch during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

4) Brandon Nimmo

Brandon Nimmo mainly patrolled center field for the Mets during the 2020 abbreviated season, with his 43 appearances in center. The 27-year old’s offensive production was never the issue as he hit .280 with eight home runs, 18 RBI’s, and 33 runs scored. Nimmo also had a ridiculous .404 on-base percentage this season, with most of his offensive success coming from the leadoff position this past season.

What leaves more to be desired with Nimmo’s game is his defense in center field. The former first-round pick is a natural corner outfielder and it showed defensively for most of the season. Nimmo’s defensive metrics in center field were rated well below average in 2020 as he was rated as the second-worst defensive center fielder by Statcast.

What isn’t measured by Statcast is the energy that Nimmo brings to the ballpark day in and day out. If the Mets truly believe that Nimmo’s offensive production and energy greatly outweigh his defensive shortcomings, Nimmo could be considered a heavy favorite for center field duties for the Mets in 2021.

However, that doesn’t go without saying that Nimmo would need to benefit from a full offseason of working on his defense in center field as well as receiving as many Spring Training reps as possible in center. If the Mets fully believe in Nimmo as their future center fielder he has to improve defensively to the point where he is at least league average in that aspect, because we all know that his bat and on-base skills are not in question.

While we await the offseason to fully shake out, Nimmo is currently penciled in as the Mets best internal option to roam center field next season.