This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo’s Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Although Mets camp officially began less than a week ago, there has been plenty to observe at Clover Park. Already, a significant majority of the 71 invited players are here. Over the next five-plus weeks, the Mets will whittle that number down to 26. Many of the faces are new.
Once the Mets begin playing Grapefruit League games later this month, it will become easier to gauge how competitions are going and players are faring. Until then, we are left with observations gleaned from back-field reps and talks with various team officials. Here are several of those from the early days of camp:
• Manager Carlos Mendoza was unusually upbeat when asked about Kodai Senga earlier this week, saying he took note as Senga flashed 92 mph on the radar gun. While that may not seem like much, it’s a firmer fastball than most pitchers are throwing at this early stage of camp. And it’s particularly noteworthy for Senga, who has spent past springs going through a slow, deliberate process to perfect his mechanics. What that ultimately means for Senga remains to be seen, but the pitcher himself seems to have a more grounded approach. Asked through an interpreter if two consecutive injury-laden seasons have rattled his confidence, Senga replied: “These past few years have been frustrating and tough mentally, really, and at some points maybe I started to lose confidence. But in this world, it’s either you do it or you don’t. I’m here to do it.”
• Clay Holmes continues to break the mold for pitchers early in Spring Training. At a time when most are throwing 1-2 innings during live batting practice, if they’re even ready for live BP at all, Holmes opened his spring with a three-inning performance. That’s partially because he’s preparing to pitch in the World Baseball Classic next month, but it’s also just who he is. Last year, despite still transitioning from the bullpen, Holmes fired three innings in his Grapefruit League debut.
• I found it telling how hands-on Mendoza was during Bo Bichette’s first day at camp. Rather than leave all the defensive instruction to bench coach Kai Correa, Mendoza stood behind Bichette as he fielded ground balls, frequently stepping in to offer tips or to position Bichette’s body in a certain way. That’s not something Mendoza has typically done with other players, but Bichette’s move from shortstop to third base is an important one for the team. “Part of the transition, even when he’s just taking regular ground balls, is realizing how much time he has compared to the shortstop position,” said Mendoza, who played both positions in the Minors himself. “The ball’s going to get to you a lot quicker. You’ve got more time than you think [to throw].”
• New Mets setup man Luke Weaver grew up in DeLand, Fla., which you may recognize as the hometown of one Jacob deGrom. Due to the five-year age difference, Weaver doesn’t know deGrom well. But he has seen him around -- particularly at Stetson University, where Weaver attended games as a kid. “Great interactions with him,” Weaver said. “We don’t have much of a relationship, but I do respect and appreciate his work.”
• There’s a clear youth movement in the clubhouse, with No. 2 prospect Carson Benge (per MLB Pipeline), No. 4 Jacob Reimer, No. 5 A.J. Ewing, No. 6 Ryan Clifford, No. 13 Chris Suero and No. 14 Nick Morabito all arriving at camp more than a week before their report date. Add in six Top 30 pitchers, and that’s a full third of the Mets’ Top 30 prospect list attending big league Spring Training. The position players in that group are easy to spot, often taking part in spirited mini basketball games before their workouts.
• One of the organization’s top acquisitions will soon be a remodeled Minor League clubhouse. Following years of rumors and false starts, the team is finally renovating the massive complex adjacent to the Clover Park back fields, which has gone largely unchanged for decades. It’s a big win for the next generation of Mets.