Taylor is quickly turning into Mets’ Swiss Army Knife
Tyrone Taylor can play anywhere in the outfield and up and down the lineup. The Mets’ Swiss Army knife may not be playing every day, but when he has played, he’s made an impact on the team already.
Taylor’s three-hit game Wednesday at Citi Field helped power the Mets past the Pittsburgh Pirates and complete the sweep. His two-run single in the sixth inning helped give the Mets some separation in a 9-1 win, their fourth straight, and it brought his average up to .341 on the season and his OPS to .841.
The 30-year-old outfielder is off to a stellar start in his first season with the Mets. While he might be flying under the radar as a bench player, his value isn’t lost on his team.
“One thing I like about Taylor is that he’s ready to play all the time,” manager Carlos Mendoza said after the Mets’ victory against Pittsburgh. “You know, as a manager, that he’s going to be ready for any situation, whether it’s pinch-hitting or a defensive replacement, coming in during the middle of a game or getting a start, he hits not only lefties but against righties.”
President of baseball operations David Stearns acquired Taylor and right-hander Adrian Houser in a trade with his old team, the Milwaukee Brewers, over the winter to add outfield depth and starting pitching depth. Stearns knew there was offensive upside, but without knowing what Starling Marte was capable of after his groin injuries, Taylor became a fallback option.
As it turns out, they’ve both been able to produce offensively, allowing Mendoza to rotate the two of them in right field and at the DH spot. Marte hasn’t exactly been crazy about being used as a DH, but he has seen the benefits.
“It’s still something that I’m getting you to get used to,” Marte said through a translator. “Personally, for me, I prefer to be out on the field to be running back and forth, being a part of the action and being able to talk to the fans and really interact with them. But it’s something that I’m adjusting to and something that I’m working on to hopefully lengthen my career.”
Marte homered as a DH on Wednesday while Taylor played right field.
Taylor sticks to a routine that allows him to be ready for whatever role he’s called to play on a given day. He credits it with helping him stay versatile and stay on top of the game. He has a structured plan in the offseason as well to be able to improve on aspects of his game he struggled with during the regular season.
Now that he’s getting more regular playing time, he’s shown these improvements.
“He’s such a pro,” Mendoza said. “He knows the role and is a big part of his team. Right now, he’s getting opportunities, but there are going to be times where he’s not in the lineup, but he’ll still be ready.”
His playing time may diminish when J.D. Martinez is ready to join the team, but Taylor understands that may be the case. Regardless, the Mets win when playing to the strengths of both Taylor and Marte.
“I just try to be my best self every day,” he said. “I work hard. In practice, I have a game plan, I have something. I’m consistent with my work for BP and stuff. So I definitely have the mindset of getting better every day.”
OLD FRIEND, NEW RIVAL
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese phenom targeted by the Mets over the winter, is lined up to face the team he spurned Friday night at Dodger Stadium when the two teams open a three-game series in Los Angeles. The righthander (1-1, 4.50 ERA) will face left-hander Sean Manaea.
There are no hard feelings anymore, but the Mets still see some satisfaction in defeating Yamamoto.
“We’ll get ready for him,” Mendoza said. “We’ll be watching a lot of film on the flight going out there and on the off day. We’ll be ready to go.”