Mets Outright Outfielder To Triple-A Syracuse As Youth Movement In Outfield Continues
· Yahoo Sports
The New York Mets announced that they’ve outright outfielder Austin Slater to Triple-A Syracuse, according to a report from Mark Polishuk of MLBTradeRumors com via Slater’s MLB com profile page. The move represents a shift to going with youth in the outfield that’s been based partly on necessity due to injuries and significant underperformance.
There’s no word yet on whether Slater will accept the assignment and remain in the organization, Polishuk added. He had more than five years of major-league service time, so Slater can become a free agent while keeping the $1 million he’s guaranteed for this season, according to the terms of the contract he signed with the Miami Marlins just before the season.
Visit bettingx.bond for more information.
Slater accumulated 49 plate appearances with the Mets and Marlins this season, but he posted a poor slash line of .209/.286/.233 with just one extra-base hit.
The Mets haven’t had much luck with this sort of thing when it comes to low-level outfielders. They’ve burned through several so far, with the latest being Tommy Pham and Slater, and a couple of succumbed to injuries, with meniscus tears being the injury flavor of the spring for Mike Tauchman and Jared Young.
That’s part of the reason the Mets have gone with youth in the outfield, and while the approach has been successful so far, it does come with some caveats. Carson Benge looks like a player who’s not going anywhere, as he overcame an initial 0-for-24 slump to raise his batting average to over .250 in the last few weeks.
Benge has been a spark plug, and he looks like he could be a future star. He’s had a few unexpected defensive lapses to go with some highlight-reel catches, and he’s clearly not afraid of the moment in clutch situations. He hasn’t hit for power, but the Mets weren’t expecting that right away.
A.J. Ewing’s performance so far tracks in a similar fashion. Ewing isn’t as polished as Benge as a hitter, but he’s had some moments, and when he gets hot or has a good game he provides a lift that’s especially electric when its combined with Benge.
The one outfield prospect who looks overwhelmed so far is Nick Morabito, who may have been rushed to the majors. He’s struck out in six of seven at-bats, and some of those ABs haven’t been all that competitive. In addition, playing all three rookies in the outfield hurts the already struggling offense, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Morabito sent down soon any day now.