Requested this week about teaching success tales, David Stearns didn’t flip to the second lifetime of Luis Severino or the work that has been performed in coaxing a breakout season from Mark Vientos.
The primary thought that got here to Stearns’ thoughts: Antoan Richardson unlocking Brandon Nimmo on the basepaths.
Nimmo has stolen 12 bases this season, which is what number of he had stolen in his previous 4 seasons mixed.
The outfielder all the time had the pace however was cautious on the bases, each due to a number of accidents early in his profession and since he was not overly profitable when making an attempt — caught stealing six occasions in 15 tries in 2018.
When the Mets employed Richardson as first-base coach and ostensible base-running coach in November, he received on the cellphone with Nimmo to introduce himself and learn the way he may assist.
“We talked about desirous to be sensible. He talked about desirous to be ready,” Richardson, in his first season with the Mets after 4 with the Giants, mentioned this week. “So what I’ve tried to do is simply give him as a lot info as potential as a result of I do know that’s one thing that he gravitates towards.”
Nimmo desires details about the opposing pitchers — about counts when a breaking ball (which is less complicated to run on) is extra prone to be thrown, about how shortly the pitcher will ship the ball, about tells from a pitcher who is perhaps “doing one thing bizarre” on the mound, Richardson mentioned, that may reveal one of the best time for a steal.
“I believe with that [information], he’s felt assured to go,” Richardson mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s been the key to success. However we undoubtedly simply ensure we give you a plan daily for the way we need to assault any given pitcher.”
A number of occasions this season, Nimmo has shouted out Richardson’s preparation and information in prompting him to run extra. Richardson, in flip, credited Nimmo for being “diligent” and asking for each element.
Additionally at play have been brisker legs, with Nimmo shifting over to left area extra typically after predominantly enjoying middle the previous few years.
Nimmo is perhaps one of the best success story, however the Mets — not a very speedy crew — entered MLB motion Thursday with the seventh-best stolen base success fee (83 %) in baseball.
“I believe it’s vital that we run at a excessive clip — I do want that it was a better clip,” Richardson mentioned. “I’m joyful that we have now had what some would say is success.
“I believe what I’m extra enthusiastic about is that our gamers are excited concerning the alternative to run once they recover from there. They really feel ready to go, and I believe they belief the programs that we’re sort of setting up for them to have success.”
J.D. Martinez, who missed three video games whereas on the paternity record, was reinstated. DJ Stewart was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to create roster house.
The Mets additionally claimed outfielder Jose Azocar, who had been designated for task by the Padres, and optioned the 28-year-old to Syracuse.
To create 40-man roster house, Sean Reid-Foley was moved to the 60-day injured record.
