2009 Mets Outlook 3B – That’s Wright!

First, I see David Wright during spring training as I live in Port Saint Lucie. The first thing everyone needs to know is he is the first player to show up in spring, usually one of the earliest to the spring traing facility, and usually one of the guys last to leave practice.

The Wright Stuff in 2009

It all depends on where in the line up he hits. He may hit 2nd if Reyes is moved to the 3rd slot in the line up. If that is the case, you may see a decrease in RBI production and see an increase in stolen bases and runs; a season more like 2006. His home run production is very high, his highest home run total is 33, but in the two slot he still will hit closer to 30 home runs rather than seeing an increase from last year. If the two slot is where he plays, I think his stats will be as follows: 310 avg, 31hr., and 110 RBI’s with approximately 35 stolen bases.

If Wright is in the 3 slot he will have more men on base on average so his RBI chances will increase and his batting average will certainly increase. His stats then will be: 320 avg, 35 hr., and 125 RBI’s with around 15 stolen bases.

His stats really depend on how well Luis Castillo plays because he will hit lead off if they move Reyes out of the lead of spot. Or if the Mets leave Reyes in the lead off slot and they bat Daniel Murphy in the two slot as they did near the end of last season which was very productive, Wright will produce certain numbers without help but generally players have big seasons when players in front of them get on base and they are followed in the line up by big or bigger bats(Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran).

The one thing for sure is this: David Wright is only going to get better! Players generally hit their full or peak baseball ability generally around 27-30 years old.

If David Wright has a season ending injury the answer to who will replace him at third is clear. Daniel Murphy is a natural third baseman, he played 3B until mid last year and was converted to a 2b then an outfielder so he could make the big club. If David Wright wasn;t in the Mets organization, Daniel Murphy might have already been at third base. Daniel Murphy would be a starting 3B on many big league clubs right now. Ramon Martinez also has played 3b during spring training and likely will either be on the big club as a part time player or be down in triple A awaiting a call up when someone needs a day off or injuries occur. He would be a back up on third either way. Also, I think Jose Valentin has played some third base in spring training and he may be doing so as a utility player option during the season if he makes the team.

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