Reese Kaplan -- Who’d a Thunk It? Spring Training Surprises!

Going into spring training there were a lot of assumptions made about who would make the team, who was merely filler and who was fighting for a reserve spot.  The way the pre-season unfolded, a number of things happened that no one could have predicted.

Dominic Smith

While all the ink was going to Pete Alonso and his prodigious power, Smith found himself something of the invisible man.  Rather than curl up and shrink away (as what appeared to happen last season), he responded to the challenge.  Despite ending Sunday’s game with two straight strikeouts, he’s still hitting in the .340s and appears to be a lock to make the opening day roster.  Pretty much no one could have predicted that one.

Luis Guillorme

The diminutive infielder with the reputation for quick hands and a flashy glove had been less than Gold Glove caliber in his previous spring and in his very brief trial in the majors.  Known more for his defense than his offense, Guillorme nonetheless hit .304 in Las Vegas last year and is at .287 for his minor league career.  He has no pop and no speed, so many expected him to be Ruben Tejada, the Sequel (until, of course, the original one flamed out in Baltimore and rejoined the organization).  What no one could have expected was Guillorme’s flirtation with .400 for the entire spring, though lately he’s cooled a bit but is still over the .350 mark – enough to send veterans Adeiny Hechavarria and Danny Espinosa to the minors to join Ruben Tejada classic.

Jason Vargas

After his horrific start to 2018 everyone was after the Mets go add Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Keuchel or some other established starting pitcher rather than risk more of the beleaguered lefty.  Much to everyone’s surprise he turned in some brilliant performances throughout the spring until tagged in his last start after showing some fatigue (and not getting great relief support).  Pretty much no one would have guessed he’d look this good.

Keon Broxton

Everyone who saw Broxton play knew about his flashy defense, his power, his speed and his enthusiasm for the game.  What they didn’t know (at least until this spring) is that he has the potential to be an on-base machine.  Between the walks and the hits he’s finishing the spring flirting with .300.  That’s way more than anyone could have expected.

Devin Mesoraco

Jacob deGrom’s personal catcher returned to the Mets on a minor league deal as a hedge against Travis d’Arnaud’s health.  When word came down that TdA is likely to remain in Florida working himself into game shape, Mesoraco must have figured he was a shoo-in to come north.  Imagine the surprise when the Mets let him go exercise his upward mobility clause and all 29 teams declined to take a flyer on him.  That’s a big blow to your ego.  So the Mets decided they wanted him to start in the minors and apparently that was too much for the former All-Star who has demanded to be released, threatened to retire or be placed on the MLB restricted list.  That’s NOT how anyone thought the Mesoraco signing would work out.  Now with yesterday’s hand injury to Wilson Ramos, the last chapter may not yet have been written depending on the severity of the injury. 

Drew Smith

With the brief trial at the end of 2018 Drew Smith indeed looked like he could handle major league hitters.  I saw him effortlessly mow down people in AAA (but then again, so too did Jacob Rhame).  The Tommy John Surgery, though these days expected with most pitchers, was something of a blow no one saw coming. 

J.D. Davis

Unless you were an avid Astros fan, the name was pretty much unknown coming into the 2019 season until BVW sent a package of lower level minor leaguers to Houston to obtain the strong hitting cornerman.  He did not disappoint with his bat as he was in the .300 range as of yesterday but his defensive limitations reminded one of the departed Wilmer Flores.  It's unlikely he'll get much time at 1B with the already crowded position to be covered by some combination of Dominic Smith, Pete Alonso and the recuperating Todd Frazier.  The outfield is more likely with Juan Lagares not showing much all spring, but Broxton did well and you'd have to figure both Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto are going to play every day.  Maybe his future is on the mound after all.  

Any surprises to you, positive or negative?  I’ll throw in one of the latter – Edwin Diaz has not yet shown the dominance he displayed the last two seasons.  In fact, the bullpen in general has been rather poor with the exception of a few players already cut like Ryan O’Rourke.