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Eric Campbell Making A Strong Case To Join Mets

By Former Writers

April 23, 2014 2 Comments

Eric Campbell

The recent performance of 27-year old Eric Campbell (AKA “Soup”) in Las Vegas may be proving costly in Josh Satin’s future as bench player/platoon first basemen for the Mets. In limited at bats this year for the Mets, (14), Satin has batted .143 with six strikeouts to go along with a .294 OBP. His strikeout percent is up from 25% to 35% this year. Again, Satin has not been given much time on the field and his time will increase in the future now that Ike Davis out of the picture.

However, Mets prospect Eric Campbell has been tearing it up in Las Vegas so far this season. Through 19 games, Campbell has produced a .346/.430/.556 clip, including three home runs and 18 RBI’s. Campbell has also walked more times than he has struck out (11 BB,9K), a very healthy line thus far.

When comparing Satin and Campbell’s minor league stats in Las Vegas, they have both produced similar numbers. The clear advantage that Campbell has as a bench player is his ability to play multiple positions. Campbell has played every infield position this year in Las Vegas, including one games at shortstop, a position he hasn’t played since his early minor league years.

Additionally, Campbell has also played both corner outfield positions during his 2014 campaign. Campbell has yet to commit a fielding error this season, and has a career .981 fielding percentage in his seven-year minor league career. Campbell has proven to not be a liability at the multitude of positions he is capable of playing. While many players see their offensive production decline when they are learning and experimenting at different positions, Campbell has been able to keep a solid batting average and on-base percentage while playing his role as a gap-to-gap hitter in the middle of the 51’s lineup.

It would be interesting to see the set up of the Mets bench with Campbell on the team instead of Satin. Satin only plays first and third base for the Mets, while Campbell could be a viable backup at first base, second base, third base, and the corner outfield positions. I am not sold on him being able to act as a backup shortstop in the majors, but he can sure play there in a pinch.

With Campbell on the team, the Mets can send down an outfielder to make room for a higher upside bat, maybe a Wilmer Flores or a Kirk Nieuwenhuis (assuming he is sent down once Lagares returns). It is an interesting thing to consider reforming the Mets bench and giving them flexibility in late game situations.

I see Satin’s days on the big league squad dwindling if Campbell can continue his AAA production and provide an upside opportunity for the Mets bench.

(Photo Credit: David Conde/MMN)

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