Tyler Naquin Has Been Great
The fun part about trade deadline acquisitions is the entirety of your impression of them is formed over their first few weeks with the team. When that player is a pure reveal, there really isn’t much more to assess until October.
On that front, Tyler Naquin has been absolutely phenomenal. We’re seeing a player who adds a dynamic missing from this New York Mets team this season.
That was on display in the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds. In the game, he was 2-for-4 with two runs, a double, homer, and RBI.
Naquin has been a power threat in the lower half of the lineup the Mets have lacked all season. Suddenly, with Naquin typically batting seventh, there is a batter in the bottom third of the lineup who can drive it out of the park.
It’s more than that. Naquin has speed too. While he’s not a stolen base treat, he can and will take the extra base. He will go first-to-third and from second to home. Again, this was a dynamic surely lacking.
We tangibly see it in the stats. In his 10 games with the Mets, he’s hitting .367/.387/.867 with two doubles, two triples, three homers, and seven RBI. He’s also stolen a base.
What was most impressive so far was his double off Reds reliever Reiver Sanmartin. With the Mets having a 6-2 lead in the fifth. Buck Showalter was right there.
Naquin rewarded his manager’s faith with a double igniting a two out rally. With the Mets so platooned base, on occasion, the Mets may need to have a Naquin face a lefty. Here, he passed that test.
Another important factor is it let Starling Marte truly get the day off. That’s what depth does. It allows everyone to get a rest and perform at their tip level.
For Naquin right now, it’s just about hitting. He needs to keep driving the ball. With that, there will come more chances. When they come, Naquin can rake.