Hayden Senger was a fantastic story popping out of spring coaching, however during the last month the Mets rookie backstop has turn out to be far more than only a good story — he’s turn out to be a giant leaguer.
“He’s grown a lot and now he knows he can play at this level,” supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned earlier this week. “That’s the biggest thing for me is that he knows he’s proved that he can catch at this level.”
Senger’s story has been nicely informed: The 28-year-old spent six seasons within the minor leagues after wrapping up his faculty profession at Miami (Ohio), and spends his winters stocking cabinets at a Entire Meals close to his Nashville-area house. Lastly, his alternative at a serious league roster spot opened up this spring when Francisco Alvarez wanted hamate bone surgical procedure, and he was named to the Mets’ Opening Day roster.
Nevertheless, with Alvarez nearing a return, Senger seems to be heading again to the minor leagues. Alvarez might be part of the Mets as quickly as Friday in Washington, when the Mets start a four-game collection towards the Nationals. It’s a little bit of a merciless twist for a participant who has been driving the buses within the minor leagues for greater than half of a decade, however Senger has at all times understood that he was filling in quickly.
It doesn’t diminish what he’s performed within the interim.
“I’ve always really admired him as a catcher,” mentioned left-hander David Peterson. “The way he handles the game, pitch calling, defensively, as a framer, and he has a really great arm. It’s been fun to watch him take this opportunity and run with it, and he’s been huge for us.”
In 13 video games, Senger’s defensive metrics have been among the many greatest in baseball. In response to Statcast, Senger has the second-strongest arm within the league (85.2 mph), and he charges extremely in framing and blocking. He’s caught three of 5 runners attempting to steal on him and drawn rave evaluations from the pitching workers.
“The ability to slow the game down when the game gets fast, especially when you’re behind the plate and you’re calling pitches, that’s not easy,” Mendoza mentioned. “One of the things that I’ve been really impressed with is how much time he’s spent preparing himself by talking to our pitchers and our pitching coaches. So when he has to go out there and the game gets fast, he’s got that ability because he’s prepared.”
Senger credit the Mets’ growth workers for a seamless transition. The info and scouting reviews disseminated to the gamers within the main league clubhouse are much like what the minor leaguers obtain. The largest adjustment Senger needed to make was in calling pitches, adjusting instantly to an emphasis on successful.
“You have to kind of call a game a little differently up here,” Senger mentioned. “In the minors, sometimes it’s about development, especially in the lower levels. You’re trying to get one guy’s pitch better, so you kind of focus on that pitch for a game. But here, it’s whatever you can to get the guy out, and learn different sequences with the different guys, and what they like to throw.”
By the point pitchers and catchers hit Double- and Triple-A, they’re beginning to sequence, so Senger is much from an newbie. Nonetheless, it’s a unique problem with extra stress, which necessitates extra prep work.
“It’s definitely more mentally taxing,” he mentioned. “I was expecting it. I’m always mentally taxed after every game because it’s a lot of thinking behind the plate. Up here, it feels like every pitch matters, and one pitch can matter a little more. So it’s using all of your brain power to think like, ‘What is the best pitch here?” It’s just a little mentally exhausting, and I discover myself sleeping fairly good at evening after these video games.”
The Mets are additionally extraordinarily pleased with the progress he’s made on the plate. His first hit was a double in Miami, and Senger mentioned he couldn’t cease smiling whereas rounding first base.
“I think the game itself doesn’t change, it’s just that everybody is better and the pitchers can really take advantage of your weaknesses,” Senger mentioned. “That’s something that I work on. So, in the end, I guess it helps if they keep attacking you with something, because you’ve got to figure out how to fix it.”
Any offense he contributes is seen as a bonus. Senger’s job is to deal with a pitching workers, which he’s performed, and performed nicely.
“We’ve always known he’s a major league defender,” mentioned Mets catching coordinator Glenn Sherlock. “But I would say he got some big hits, and he’s stepped up in some pressure spots, whether it’s moving runners or getting some hits. Also, his preparation has been great.”
Between Senger, Alvarez and Luis Torrens, the Mets have some issues to determine. Having three robust catchers, and two who can produce runs, is an enviable downside. Taking part in time could ultimately work itself out, however at this time limit, Senger seems sure for Syracuse as soon as once more. The Mets hope he understands that it’s momentary.
As for Senger himself, he’ll miss exploring New York Metropolis’s numerous eating places together with his spouse, Ryann, however he’ll actually miss the large league facilities.
“The nice hotels are definitely the best part,” he mentioned.
