With the prognosis on Lucas Duda‘s back not looking good at the moment, it seems like it’s not a matter of if but when Duda is placed on the DL. When that happens, the Mets are going to have to make a move on the 40-man roster.
The Mets are not likely to call up either Brandon Nimmo or Dilson Herrera. Both are performing well at AAA, but both players are also seen as possible everyday players. It’s likely the Mets aren’t going to call them up, wasting service time, just so they can sit on the bench. No, the Mets are going to have to make move to call up either T.J. Rivera or Ty Kelly.
Early reports are that it may be Ty Kelly. There’s some logic to this move. Terry Collins seemed enamored with him during Spring Training. He’s hitting .391/.478/.548 in AAA. He’s played every position, but catcher in his career. Yes, that includes him pitching one scoreless inning in 2014. He’s earned this call-up.
Problem is so has T.J. Rivera. He’s hit .375/.406/.569 in 20 more plate appearances. He was just named the PCL’s Offensive Player of the Week. So far this year, he’s played first, second, third, and left.
Like Kelly, he’s a gap to gap line drive hitter with doubles power. They’re both 27 year old AAA utility players whose value is predicated on their bats. Neither are great defenders. Neither have a set position. Overall, there’s very little separating Kelly and Rivera.
The case for Kelly is he’s a switch hitter who’s been known to have an exceptional eye at the plate. This year, Kelly already has 19 walks. In his minor league career he has walked 505 times and struck out 504 times. While he’s struggled the past two plus years in AAA, he seems to be putting it together this year.
However, Kelly has played the vast majority of his time in left field this year, and the last thing this Mets team is another outfielder. With that said, he has primarily been an infielder prior to this year. Of note, he has only played four games at first base. Overall, while Kelly has had a nice year at the plate, he isn’t exactly what the Mets would need if Duda went on the DL.
If the Mets truly wanted a backup infielder, they would go with Rivera. He has played all but one of his games in the infield this year. While he doesn’t have Kelly’s eye at the plate, he strikes out less frequently. Rivera also typically gets more extra base hits.
There’s another important reason to call up Rivera. This is Rivera’s sixth season with the Mets organization after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent. He has improved his game each and every year. He has gone from a minor league depth player to being on the cusp of the major leagues. Calling him up would be a moral boost to every player in the organization. It’s a sign to every minor leaguer that if you continue to work on your game and continue to improve, you are eventually going to get a shot at playing in the majors.
Is that why Rivera should be called up over Kelly? Of course not. However, with so little separating the two of them, you might as well call up the infielder in whom you have invested six years. It’s time to call up T.J. Rivera especially with the Mets running out of excuses to keep him in the minors.
Neither player is on the 40-man, who comes off if they are added?
Damn straight!!! It’s gotta happen. I’m a huge Rivera fan and I really believe Mets fans will fall in love with TJ when he finally gets his shot. He so deserves it. C’mon Sandy!! Make it happen!!!
same but I have no faith that the mets will do the right thing. The guy will be a star no doubt when given the chance.
I won’t root for others to fail, but that may be what it takes. If Kelly gets the call, I will be dissapointed, but his story is also a good one.
RIVERA stands for Raking In Vegas, Earned Reward Already!
Alvarez or Walter
He should have made the club out of spring training, but they chose Campbell because he had mlb experience at 1st base.
Love that!
Like PC said, Walters is clear choice with Alvarez behind him.
I don’t see him ever being a star, but a Jeff Keppinger type career would be welcomed.
Agreed 1000%!! He has nothing left to prove at AAA! I’d bring him up to play 3b everyday and move wright to 1b to platoon with Duda and/or Conforto.
That’s a great article. I agree with practically every point, some of which I hadn’t considered. I love the message it would send throughout the Mets’ farm system.
We need bats that can extend innings and move runners along. We have enough sluggers.
And have Travis Taijeron start taking grounders at 1b.
Duda to the dl and Mets call up Rivera, according to instagram. Finally
I agree!
Thank you
I’d choose Alvarez, but it’s not a clear-cut decision.
Alas, it seems like the Mets went with Kelly over Rivera.
https://twitter.com/nypost_mets/status/734787394105401344
That’s the wrong organizational message to sent! Shoulda given Rivera the first shot!
Whether Duda goes to the DL or not, there is no one more deserving of a call up than TJ Rivera. Kelly is having a great season so far but this is the first time he’s ever played this well. Rivera on the other hand is by far the most consistent hitter in the Mets organization over the last 5 years. He should of got the call before Reynolds too. Enough is enough. #callupTJ
agreed guys have to look at rivera and think if he cant get a call up how will I ever? then again the mets promote guys hitting .238 so who knows what goes on in their minds….If i do good I will be ignored if i struggle I get a promotion? kelly has done great so far this season but I am shocked by the fact they over look the guy who has shown his consistency.
You think it has anything to do with the fact kelly may get put on 40 man and then taken off? leaving him exposed and they want to protect rivera until there is a permanent opening?
That’s an interesting point about adding to 40 and then after going 1-20, dfa but why do that to a 27/28 yr old, positional flexible, switch hitting, high ops player, who they would surely lose on waivers.
TC will play Campbell and let Kelly come off the bench. I would have brought up Rivera (who has played more games at 1b and 3b than Kelly) to play 1b for Duda and/or 3b for Wright and have Campbell or Kelly or Flores come off the bench.
Excellent Article MDada! You forgot to mention that TJ is from the Bronx and was managed by Frm Met Mackey Sasser in college, which is another reason he should me called up instead of Kelly. Lol.
Outstanding play in the minors is once again ignored by SA. Leads the PCL in ribbies and player of the week and a pat on the back. After Nimmo hit a triple tonight the Sounds CF moved 50 feet back and caught Rivera’s 420 foot line drive.
lol, 8 pitchers on the 40 man parked at AAA to start the season.
I agree that Rivera should get a shot but it’s not like Kelly didn’t deserve a chance either.
Great post and I like the last part the most, “The Mets running out of excuses to keep him in the minors.” That is exactly correct.