April 29

Just like last week, when we picked Allan Dykstra for MMN Player of the Week, the Pacific Coast League picked him as well; Deja vu all over again, as the PCL names Eric Campbell their Player of the Week.

April 28

Congratulations to Las Vegas 51′s utilitiy specialist Eric Campbell, for being named the MMN Player of the Week.

Campbell, aka Soup, was signed by the Mets in the 8th round of the 2008 June Amateur draft and has played his entire minor league career with the organization.  This past spring he was invited to big league camp and truly impressed by batting .318 (14 for 44), with eight runs, six doubles, a home run and four walks.

The Mets may have found their multi-utility specialist in Campbell, as he has played every position in Vegas aside from catching and pitching and who knows he may even be able to excel in the latter two as well. The 27-year old is having a better start to the Triple A season than he had last year when he batted just .214 in April.

The 51s had a great week going 5-1, and lead the PCL Southern Division by 4.5 games going into Monday. In that span, Campbell enjoyed a five game hit streak with four being of the multi-hit variety. Soup is one of the major reasons why the 51s are having a great start to the 2014 season.

April 21-27 totals: .478 (11 for 23), 6 R, 4 Doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI’s, 3 BB.

Honorable Mentions

Las Vegas 51′s – 1B/DH Allan Dykstra

Dykstra has not stopped hitting and if not for Campbell’s hot week, Dykstra may have won the MMN Player of The Week for a second straight week. But he has earned a mention because he is just having an amazing start to his 2014 season and it should not be too long before he is given an opportunity to see how he does on the big league level. With the trade of Ike Davis to the Pirates, it may just open a door for a look, but unless Lucas Duda falters soon, Dykstra may have to wait til the second half of the summer before he gets a call up.

April 21-27 totals: .409 (9 for 22), 6 R, 4 Doubles, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 4 BB

Binghamton Mets – SS Matt Reynolds

Reynolds was signed by the Mets in the 2nd Round of the 2012 June draft and since has continued to move through the Mets farm system. Reynolds, who batted just .226 with St. Lucie in 2013, started slow in 2014 but has picked it up and is enjoying a 13-game hit streak with five multi-hit games so far this season. The B-Mets are 12-8 and a game out of first and Reynolds is one of the reasons for the teams good start.

April 21-27 totals: .381 (8 for 21), 4 R, 1 Doubles, 4 RBI, 6 BB

St. Lucie Mets – INF T.J. Rivera

I don’t believe there has been a week that Rivera has not been mentioned as a candidate for MMN Player of the Week. The 2013 FSL Hits Champion, has just been sizzling since day one of the season and what is amazing is that he basically hit the same as last week, when he also batted .444 going 12 for 27. I figured that may have been a typo, but after checking it twice, and then again, Rivera has basically been unbelievable and a big part of the potent St. Lucie lineup that just continues to lead the league in batting average, hits, RBI’s, total bases, walks, OBP, and Slug. A big reason for that is T.J. Rivera‘s amazing start. Not much more to prove at this level.

April 21-27 totals: .444 (12 for 27), 4 R, 2 Doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBI’s, 2 BB.

St. Lucie Mets – CF Brandon Nimmo

What can be said about Nimmo other than he continues to hit and get on base. Last week alone he recorded 12 walks and continues to get on base to set up the power bats in the lineup. He is batting second for St. Lucie and he is the perfect batter for that spot as he is doing exactly what the Mets have hoped for and even better. Just an amazing start for the Mets and they continue to be represented strongly on these posts.

April 21-27 totals: .375 (9 for 24), 8 R, 1 Double, 5 RBI’s, 12 BB

St. Lucie Mets – 2B/SS Phillip Evans

An unlikely pick this week, but Evans deserves the mention as he has found a way to join his teammates and just hit the cover off the ball each and every night. He bats towards the bottom of the lineup, but he has managed to get on base consistently and get the big hit when the team needs it the most. Another versatile player on the young roster, Evans has done a very good job playing short and second as he shares time with Dilson Herrera and Rivera.

April 21-27 totals: .385 (10 for 26), 5 R, 2 Doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI’s, 1 BB

(Photo Credit: Jessica Ebelhar/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

(Feature Photo by MetsMinors.net)