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Mets Top Prospects For 2022: No. 10 Nick Plummer

By John Sheridan

March 9, 2022 No comments

No. 10 Nick Plummer, OF

B/T: L/L     Age: July 31, 1996 (25)
Ht: 5’10”     Wt: 200 lb.
Acquired: Signed to MLB deal (11/24/21)
ETA: 2022     Previous Rank: N/A
2022 Stats (AA/AAA) .280/.415/.479, 20 2B, 6 3B, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 13 SB, 9 CS

Plummer was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 draft. Notably, the Mets did not have a first round pick in that draft because they signed Michael Cuddyer that offseason, and now they finally acquired a first round pick from that draft.

Plummer was available this offseason partially because he did not produce much of anything over the first six professional seasons of his career. His first season was a disappointment, which was likely attributed to a wrist injury which cost him his 2016 season. From there, his approach and mechanics at the plate were a mess leading to his having a well over 30% strikeout rate and low power numbers.

The irony there was Plummer had consistently had respectable walk rates. Rather than give up on Plummer, the Cardinals put a renewed focus on him after the pandemic lost season. As Plummer told David Laurila of Fangraphs, “For me, trying to eliminate the in-zone swings-and-misses was about developing a swing plane that was in the zone for a longer amount of time.”

The result was his becoming the prospect many believed he could be. By shortening his stride and leg kick, he was better able to keep his bat through the zone, and he was better able to identify pitches. That was immediately apparent in Double-A where he hit .283/.404/.489 with 17 doubles, four triples, 13 homers, and 46 RBI in 90 games.

Ultimately, he had a 142 wRC+ in Double-A, and that lead to his promotion to Triple-A. This was arguably the first time Plummer was young for a level in his professional career with his being 2.4 years younger than league average. He was apparently undaunted as Plummer posted a 153 wRC+ in his 27 games played.

One interesting tidbit with Plummer was he was platoon neutral. Despite batting left-handed, he would have a .908 OPS against left-handed pitching. That was actually better than the .890 he posted against right-handed batters. With those numbers, you see the potential for him to be a real everyday player in the lineup. Seeing how much Plummer progressed, it is rather shocking the Cardinals let him reach free agency.

Keep in mind, with Plummer, he is a complete player. In addition to his progress at the plate, Plummer has the tools to be a good defender. As noted by MLB Pipeline, Plummer has the athleticism and speed to play center, and ultimately, he has the tools to play all three outfield positions. That said, with his arm, he might profile best in left field.

Of course with Plummer, this is just the tip of the iceberg. This is a player who had the skillset to be a first round pick, and the tools were so enticing the Cardinals reinvested in him. Now, the Mets are the organization who has benefited from that by jumping the market to give Plummer a Major League deal in the offseason.

Once the lockout ends, Plummer will likely get his opportunity to show the Mets he should begin the season on the Major League roster. In all likelihood, he will begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse battling it out with Khalil Lee to show who will be the first outfielder called up to the majors. If Plummer is able to repeat or build upon what he did with the Cardinals last season, in all likelihood, he will not stay in the minors very long.

Mets Top Prospects 29-30
Mets Top Prospects 27-28
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Mets Top Prospects 21-22
Mets Top Prospects 20 Eric Orze
Mets Top Prospects 19 Hayden Senger
Mets Top Prospects 18 Jaylen Palmer
Mets Top Prospects 17 Adam Oller
Mets Top Prospects 16 Jake Mangum
Mets Top Prospects 15 Carlos Cortes
Mets Top Prospects 14 Joel Diaz
Mets Top Prospects 13 Calvin Ziegler
Mets Top Prospects 12 Simon Juan
Mets Top Prospects 11 Jose Butto

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Written by John Sheridan

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