The Mets selected Desmond Lindsay with their first draft choice (2nd round) of the 2015 draft from the Out-of-Door Academy in Sarasota Florida. The 19-year old right-handed hitter played first and third base in High School but the Mets had every intention of putting him in the outfield when they drafted him.

Desmond ranked as high as #71 (Keith Law) on Pre-draft prospect boards and was #102 according to Baseball America’s Top 500. Mets director of scouting Tommy Tanous called him “an offensive machine” while former VP of scouting and player development Paul DePodesta said “I think he has as much upside as any player we’ve taken in the second round since we’ve been here”.

Now a center fielder, Lindsay, made his pro debut with the GCL Mets in the Gulf Coast League hitting .300/.400/.464 in 21 games before getting a well deserved promotion to the Brooklyn Cyclones. He struggled for the first time in pro ball with just a .574 OPS in 53 plate appearances in the New York-Penn League but was just 18 during the season and was over three years younger than the league average age.

MMN – When did the Mets start showing serious interest in you and what was it like to be drafted in the by them?

Desmond – They started showing serious interest in me during the start of my final High School season. They were one of the teams who were around the most often. It was just a blessing to be able to get such a opportunity to go play baseball at the next level. I was very excited.

MMN – Did you have any thoughts of not signing with the Mets, instead honoring your commitment to North Carolina?

Desmond – I had pretty much agreed with the Mets that if they drafted me in the round they did, I would sign with them.

MMN – What was the transition like going from an infielder to an outfielder?

Desmond – It was very though because I was competing against kids who mostly had been playing the same position for their entire baseball careers.

MMN – Who worked with you in the Met organization to make you better defensively?

Desmond – Benny Distefano, who is the outfield coordinator, worked with me the most and really helped speed up my learning process last season.

MMN – What was the biggest challenge for you in your first taste of pro ball?

Desmond – I would have to say learning to play the outfield, just because I was at such a disadvantage experience wise from everyone else.

MMN – What have you been doing this offseason to prepare yourself for the 2016 season?

Desmond – I’ve been pretty much working out every day following the strength program they gave us for the offseason. I was also in Port St. Lucie for a month training with Mike Barwis at the spring training facilities.

MMN – What was a typical day like at the Barwis camp?

Desmond – We would workout from 1 p.m. to about 3:30 p.m. every day during the week. Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays were lifting days. Tuesday and Thursdays were speed and agility where we would work on out running form and flexibility.

MMN – What would you say your strengths and weaknesses are as a player right now?

Desmond – I would say my biggest strength is definitely my offense and being able to hit the ball the other way. My weakness has to still be my outfield defense right now, haha.

MMN – How would you describe your approach at the plate? Do the Mets staff talk about a certain organizational philosophy?

Desmond – The biggest thing they tell us is to not try to do to much. They really work on making us identify early and knowing exactly what to do with them. We always work on driving the ball to the opposite field and knowing our strike zone.

MMN – Your grandmother is a Mets fan, did you get a chance to follow the Mets playoff run with her?

Desmond – She loves the Mets and I grew up watching the Mets games at her house all the time. We talked almost everyday during their playoff run and were both very excited to see them in such a big stage.

MMN – What are your expectations and goals for yourself in the 2016 season?

Desmond – My biggest goal for next season is to keep progressing in a positive direction regarding my outfield play. Also, I would really like to be in Columbia with the Fireflies by the end of the season.

MMN – Thanks for answering some questions and good luck this season!

During the offseason, Desmond has also been involved in helping raise money for the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund which he was the first ever recipient of.

Definitely think there is a a good chance that Desmond finishes the year with the Columbia Fireflies and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him start the season with the Mets new Low-A affiliate. We are currently in the middle of unleashing our Top 80 Prospects and you can be assured Desmond will be in the Top 10.