Kevin Plawecki was brought to the Mets as an injury replacement to Travis d’Arnaud on April 20 when d’Arnaud went on the disabled list with a broken finger.
He will more than likely be optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas when d’Arnaud returns, which could be within a week although there’s some uncertainty after d’Arnaud sustained a bone bruise in his wrist on Thursday.
Plawecki isn’t concerned with having to go back to Triple-A Las Vegas should the team decide to demote him.
“Whatever happens when he comes back is whatever is going to happen,” Plawecki told Brian Costello of the New York Post. “I think I’ve done the best I can, and hopefully I continue that.
“It’s really not up to me, so I’m not going to think about it,” Plawecki said. “Whatever happens, happens.”
Plawecki is in a 7-for-43 slide since May 9, which is representative of general inconsistency at the plate. Like a lot of rookies, he’s been overanxious at times and often struggles to work deep into counts. But he has shown quick hands at the plate, particularly on inside pitches and gap-to-gap power when he has gone right.
Defensively, he has been up and down as well. His throwing has been good at times, off at others, and sometimes his blocking and pitch calling has been iffy. It’s not totally unexpected – he’s a rookie, has to get to know the hitters and runners in the league and understand how to call a consistent game at this level.
But overall, Terry Collins is very pleased with what Plawecki has brought to the club in d’Arnaud’s absence, particularly with his catching.
“He’s played very well,” Collins explained about Plawecki. “I thought he’s caught outstanding and he’s worked very, very hard at trying to work with the pitchers no matter who’s out there. He’s continually on the bench between innings asking questions. He hasn’t hit like he wants. As I told him, we saw this with Travis when Travis first got here. It’s about catching first. When you’re a rookie, getting to the big leagues, catching some of the pitchers he has to catch, it’s about making sure you’re handling them well. I think he’s done a great job with that.”
He’s an exciting catching prospect, and the Mets love him. He’s getting better and learning every day – he’s going to be a fine and valuable player in the future. There’s no question he has struggled at the plate for the most part, but these things take time, usually more than six weeks to blossom.
Remember, it took almost a year and a demotion to the minor leagues before d’Arnaud put all of the pieces together.
In talking and getting to know Plawecki over the last few months, he’s got a lot of poise and is a very mature and knowledgable player, unusually so for a player who just got here. That’s important and in a lot of ways, very unique.
The Mets are so fortunate to have two young catchers who have the potential to be impact-type players. It has created options for the team, flexibility, and interesting scenarios going forward for the club.
In 27 games, Plawecki has hit .211/.250/.311 with two home runs and ten RBI in 96 plate appearances since he was promoted from the minor leagues.
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