Just Mets

Before formal workouts began for the Mets in mid-February, Eric Campbell was aspiring to learn how to be a catcher.

Campbell has never caught at any level in his life. But Campbell was seeking to become more versatile than he already has shown to be (he played six positions in the big leagues in 2014).

On Saturday, Campbell finally experienced life as a catcher for the first time in a game, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

Campbell caught one inning in a minor league game in Port St. Lucie, although it was an uneventful inning which didn’t require him to throw to any bases or be involved in a play at the plate, according to Rubin.

One inning in a minor league game in March does not make one a catcher, for sure. But, Campbell’s gotta start somewhere, and if wants to increase his versatility – and provide the Mets with some last-minute insurance behind the plate – well, this is step one in accomplishing that. There’s been some small hints this spring Campbell is competing for a spot on the roster. The Mets like him particularly for his versatility which they lacked last year (although he isn’t a particularly strong defensive player anywhere on the field) and he showed he could be a very competent right-handed pinch hitter as well. However, they’ve added versatility in Michael Cuddyer and John Mayberry Jr. to an extent, and with Ruben Tejada moving to more of a utility role, Campbell becomes somewhat marginalized on this roster.

Ultimately, I think Campbell is safe, but it certainly doesn’t hurt him to work on another skill set, even if it’s never used by the club.