The Mets have gone through Eric Campbell, Ty Kelly, and Matt Reynolds as bench players. Unfortunately, none of them performed up to expectations. Finally, the Mets felt compelled to trade a good prospect like Akeel Morris for Kelly Johnson. It was a deal made after the Mets had already gone through almost every single last option they had in the minors who could play multiple positions.
Actually, they didn’t. The Mets never gave T.J. Rivera a shot.
Rivera has done all you could ask from a player. He has learned multiple positions. He’s capable of playing every position in the infield even if he’s not truly adept at any single position. After being passed over for a promotion to the majors by Kelly, Rivera dedicated himself to learning the outfield to make himself even more attractive to be a major league call-up. He has hit .348/.389/.500 so far in AAA this year. He was the Pacific Coast League’s Player of the Month for the month of May. He was named as a Pacific Coast League All Star. Again, Rivera has done everything to merit a call-up. It just isn’t happening.
Was Rivera the solution to the Mets bench problems? Probably not. He was still a 27-year old undrafted minor league player. Yet, he still possessed skills that could of translated to the major leagues. He had the potential to be a contact hitter with doubles power. He could have filled in all across the diamond. There are a lot of things Rivera was capable of doing if only he got the chance. He won’t for reasons that are still unclear, and frankly, are unfair.
So yes, the Mets minor league system is worse for having lost a real prospect in Morris. It’s frustrating that he was traded away for a player that could have been re-signed by the Mets in the offseason. However, that frustration doesn’t match the frustration Rivera must be feeling now knowing that the Mets may never give him his chance despite him having earned an opportunity.
I’d like to be to know why as well…is he on the 40 man roster?
You must have written this article for me. I’m super frustrated for the kid. He’s been solid his entire career; he has a breakout year in AAA and bats 350! … Plus, he plays every positon! What else does this kid need to do? Maybe learn to pitch left handed? C’mon, give him a shot
No. And that works against him and that he bats right handed when the need was for left handed bench bat.
But very much deserves a shot but maybe is being withheld for trade.
I believe if not traded, he will be September call up.
Thanks…makes sense
Granted that he does not HRs …
In 2011, he batted .290 in Kingsport. In 2013 he batted .289 in St. Lucie. Other than that he never batted under .300. He has out hit some other “prospects” at every level.
He was not put on the 40 man roster after last season. He was exposed to the Rule 5 draft … and no team took him.
Maybe his wOBA, wRAA, and/or wRC+ are low?
“The Mets have gone through Eric Campbell, Ty Kelly, and Matt Reynolds as bench players. Unfortunately, none of them performed up to expectations.” With limited opportunity, I thought Matt Reynolds performed well. Some key hits and some nice plays defensively.
Reynolds hit .233/.267/.419
Mets Daddy……THANK YOU….For a great article! For empathizing with the frustration! For Always supporting TJ! For expressing what family and friends would love to say…instead bite our tongues.
If not traded at the deadline, if I were him I´d tell my agent to ask the Mets to release me so I could pursue options elsewhere.
If this kid leaves the organization and becomes a star with another big-league team, someone’s head will roll. They better give him a shot now. Dump de Aza and let Rivera take his position, which is pinch hitting and feeble outfielding. Certainly, Rivera can contribute more with his bat more than De Aza. I’m sure he could handle a shot at the outfield.
Yeah, there hast to be something going on with this guy in the Team’s eyes. He certainly seems like he’s worth a look up here. Especially when the offense is pathetic and he actually hits.
I’ll wait for the tell-all to come out.
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It seems like this year he has gotten the shaft from not being on the 40-man roster…or that was the case until they promoted Kelly. He isn’t a great defender and doesn’t walk much at all which is the two knocks on him. I still would have called up up over Kelly and earlier in the year to replace Soup.
I agree that the Mets should have given the kid a shot but him becoming a star is slim to none. Other teams had the chance to take him in the Rule5 draft this year and would have taken him if they believed he could have that kind of impact.
A couple of timely hits from Reynolds but overall it wasn’t anything to write home about. Big hits seem to open eyes for fans more sometimes than overall performance.
He doesn’t profile as a great fielder, and I saw him play at LV, and concur that he doesn’t have a great arm. He does have a good bat, though, and that is a commodity that is sorely lacking from the Mets lineup. Not being selected as a rule 5 draft pick doesn’t say much to me. Mike Piazza needed an influential uncle to redeem him as a round 62 pick. Not getting a chance isn’t a reason for not giving one.