Andres Torres is in line to lead-off New York Mets in regular season - MLB Update
Centre fielder Andres Torres will be looking to be part of the New York Mets’ opening day roster. His left calf injury which compelled him to underwhelm his penchant for glory with Mets is almost over and it is just a matter of time when he restores his
composure on the plate. While fit, Mets consider him a primary option, Scott Hairston and Mike Baxter will be awarded the task in his absence.
The kind of power he can bring to Mets is invaluable, but the fact his plate appearances in Spring Training are not sufficient to an extent of assigning him such a big job right away, as the management is concerned.
In particular, hitting coach, Dave Hudgens, appears insensitive to his recovery from injury and believes that even though he looks fit now, his swings and command on the plate are far from satisfactory.
Clarifying further, he cites his vulnerability to fly-outs and maintains that if he is sent there with little preparation, let alone homers he will not be able to provide extra-bases.
“He’s got some power, which can be dangerous sometimes in that you end up hitting too many fly balls,” Hudgens said. “He’s got to hit the ball on the ground.”
Not going by his hitting power, he states that he wants more bases from him; something he considers is needed at this level.
“He hit 16 homers [in 2010 with the Giants], but to us on-base is more important with him than homers. If I could choose between a .400 on-base percentage and 18 homers out of him, I will take the .400 on-base,” he said.
h**l-bent to prove a point, Torres is confident of becoming one of the most reliable leadoff hitters for his side. His fast recovery suggests that even if he does not make it to the opening day roster, he will be playing in the regular season soon.
After all, only hurdle in his way is a fewer number of at-bats he has faced and therefore only if he proves himself on this front in a couple of Minor League outings, he will be right there.
In light of a relatively weaker offense that the Mets have, addition of Torres in the mix will strengthen it further. Irrespective of his impact in the season, his potential to shine there is undoubted.
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