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New York Mets: Takeaways From 11-Game Road Trip

By Kenneth Teape

May 7, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) is congratulated by first baseman Lucas Duda (21) after driving in third baseman David Wright (right) with a two run home run during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) is congratulated by first baseman Lucas Duda (21) after driving in third baseman David Wright (right) with a two run home run during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Mets: Takeaways From 11-Game Road Trip
May 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki (26) misses a pitch in the fifth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Plawecki Starts Hitting

When the Mets lost Travis d’Arnaud to a strained rotator cuff, they were losing one of their better hitters in the lineup. Despite his slow start to the season, d’Arnaud has shown in the past that he can be productive in the middle of the Mets lineup.

In his place, the Mets were going to have to rely on Kevin Plawecki. A former top prospect in his own right, Plawecki is better known for his glove than his work at the plate. It was the one concern that the Mets really had, as manager Terry Collins said “This is a great opportunity for Kevin to show he can be an everyday catcher.Certainly I don’t mean to put a lot of pressure on him, but he’s got to start getting some hits, because that’s one of the things we all said he could do. We all thought he was going to be a good offensive player. And I know he’s frustrated.”

Plawecki had struggled this season with the bat, hitting .176 as d’Arnaud’s backup. But, since d’Arnaud has been forced to the sidelines, Plawecki has begun producing a little more at the plate, and it was on display on the west coast trip.

Plawecki has an extra-base hit in three consecutive games during the trip, hitting four doubles and one home run overall during the 11 games. He also had a hit in eight of the nine games that he played in, raising his batting average to .227 on the season.

While .227 won’t be setting any records, it is encouraging to see Plawecki have some production at the plate as catcher has provided little in the way of hitting thus far this season.

Next: Star Pitcher's Struggles Continue

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