3 Mets who finished spring training hot, 3 who were cold
It’s not always how you start but how you finish. When it comes to spring training statistics, a successful final week is the best sign of things to come. Looking over the last 7 days for New York Mets players, I’ve found three who finished hot and just as many who were cold.
NY Mets catcher Omar Narvaez was hot in the final week
Omar Narvaez went 6 for 11 in the last 7 days of spring training action. After spending some time away from the team to participate in the WBC, productive at-bats from him were a positive sign to see. Tomas Nido had his own ridiculously awesome spring. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the tandem produces consistently in 2023.
NY Mets third baseman Eduardo Escobar was cold in the final week
Eduardo Escobar also came back to join the Mets following his WBC participation. Unfortunately, he went just 2 for 18 in the last week of spring training action. Considering how well Brett Baty hit this spring, the pressure is already on the veteran Escobar as he enters the 2023 campaign.
NY Mets reliever Dennis Santana was hot in his one week with the team
Three shutout innings isn’t a huge sample size but it is definitely enough to have some trust in Dennis Santana. He didn’t give up a hit, walked one, and struck out a pair of hitters in his short spring with the Mets. Next up is confirmation that he’ll make the Opening Day roster. It looks like he probably will.
NY Mets outfielder Tommy Pham continued to struggle in the final week
Tommy Pham did very little to impress us this spring. He finished his spring going 2 for 12. Already a questionable signing in the eyes of many, a weak preseason did very little to win over his doubters.
NY Mets reliever T.J. McFarland settled down in the final week of the spring
T.J. McFarland got knocked around plenty down in Florida. He did pitch 3 shutout innings in the final week of spring training action. It’ll do very little to make up for the earlier struggles.
NY Mets pitcher Justin Verlander was less than stellar in his final week
Justin Verlander made 2 starts, pitched 9.2 innings, and walked 10 batters combined in his final week of spring training. Each appearance was equally troubling, but after three much better starts prior to this poor finish, any sense of dread is too big of a leap for a guy who just won a Cy Young last season.