Travis d’Arnaud Set to Make New York Mets Debut
By Aaron Somers
Credit: Brad Barr – USA TODAY SPORTS
A moment that New York Mets fans have been anxiously awaiting all season has finally arrived, as the team will promote top catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud to the Major Leagues. Some initial reports suggested that he could be rushed out to San Diego and available for tonight’s game with the Padres, but it seems the plan is to have d’Arnaud in the lineup tomorrow according to what Terry Collins shared with reporters (including the New York Post’s Mike Puma) before the game. d’Arnaud’s arrival to the Mets lineup might be too little, too late for the team’s hopes this season but he’s expected to be an integral part in the Mets roster for 2014 and beyond.
d’Arnaud has hit .289/.420/.514 in 131 PA on the year, combined across three levels (Rookie League, Double-A, Triple-A). He has almost as many walks (25) as hits (30) on the year, a positive turn for his plate discipline for a player who’s tools already grade out among the highest in baseball at his position. He’s missed most of the season with a foot injury, but has progressed well while rehabbing in the minor leagues.
A key piece in last November’s R.A. Dickey trade, Mets fan have long been awaiting d’Arnaud’s arrival as the team has faced their struggles off and on this season. Believed that he could potentially be ready to start the season in the Major Leagues, it was no real surprise when the team elected to have him start the year in the minor leagues with the hopes that he’d stay down long enough to avoid Super Two status at season’s end. His foot injury kept him out long enough to ensure that wouldn’t be a concern, but there’s been a high level of anticipation for his arrival since he first returned from the DL. He should see a fair amount of playing time over the season’s final few weeks, as the Mets take an evaluation of their likely starter behind the plate next April.
John Buck was placed on the paternity list in order to make space for d’Arnaud, a move that many have seen coming for the past few weeks.