Tyrone Taylor’s big day showcases Mets’ newfound outfield depth

Tyrone Taylor’s big day showcases Mets’ newfound outfield depth

NEW YORK — Five years ago while toiling in the minor leagues, Tyrone Taylor interviewed for a job at FedEx as a package handler. It was September 2019 and since the minor-league season had ended, Taylor figured he needed an offseason gig. But then the Milwaukee Brewers offered him a cooler position as a big-league outfielder, calling him up for the first time when he was 25 years old and allowing him to deliver on a lifelong dream.

So when Taylor, now 30, talks in his laid-back Southern California tone about making the most of opportunities during a hot streak with the New York Mets, it’s all coming from a place of deeper perspective.

“Just keeping that in mind in general, for anybody, is helpful,” Taylor said. “You never know what’s going to happen in life. I’m just thankful for doing this. The 10-year-old Tyrone, this was his dream. It’s definitely special.”

Taylor went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base Wednesday in the Mets’ 9-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets (10-8), winners of four straight, pulled off their first series sweep. Taylor, the Mets’ fourth outfielder, has starred in an outsized role with the regular starting trio — Brandon Nimmo, Harrison Bader and Starling Marte, from left to right — also playing well during the club’s recent stretch of inspired play.

Mets 9, Pirates 1: For the first time this season, the Mets have swept a series. They’ve won four straight. Severino tossed six innings and lowered his ERA to 2.14. Marte and Bader hit home runs. Taylor had three hits. New York is 10-8.

— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) April 17, 2024

Indeed, it’s a crowded group.

But that’s nothing new for teams under Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who formerly held the same position with the Brewers. And by extension, that means it’s also nothing new for Taylor, who Stearns acquired from their old team via trade just before Christmas. Less than two weeks later, Stearns signed Bader to play center field. It all felt familiar.

Stearns’ teams have looked like this before. In March 2021, a few weeks before that season started, the Brewers signed Jackie Bradley Jr. to a crowded outfield group that included Taylor. The following March, just before the 2022 season got underway, the Brewers signed Andrew McCutchen to a crowded outfield group that included Taylor. The way Stearns probably sees it, teams can never have enough good players, especially up the middle like in center field, and there are plenty of at-bats to go around over a 162-game season.

While playing in a part-time role in 2021, Taylor posted a .778 OPS in 271 plate appearances. In 2022, he posted a .729 OPS in 405 plate appearances.

Taylor has 46 plate appearances in 2024 while appearing at all three outfield spots. He has rewarded the Mets’ faith with a .841 OPS.

“It always works out,” Taylor said. “Having the experience of seeing it work out and then being told by David that I am going to get my at-bats, it gives you that sense of calm of just letting it happen how it’s going to happen.”

Eventually, things should get even more crowded. When J.D. Martinez (back) deems himself ready to join the Mets — he likely won’t do so on their upcoming West Coast trip — he will occupy the designated hitter spot on an everyday basis. Taylor gets playing time in part because the Mets have used the DH to rest some regulars, notably Marte, at times. Martinez’s arrival will test manager Carlos Mendoza’s juggling skills when it comes to finding the best times to plug Taylor in.

That’s because Taylor isn’t the only Mets outfielder off to a promising start.

Marte had an ugly error last week that cost the Mets runs, but he’s proven himself to be healthy, contributed consistently offensively (he hit a home run on Wednesday) and reclaimed his spot as the club’s No. 2 hitter. Marte is stealing bases, and, more importantly, moving well around the bases, which last year was harder for him than just running in a straight line due to his recovery from double-groin surgery.

Bader has picked things up after a slow start. He had the winning hit in back-to-back games earlier in the homestand and hit a home run Wednesday. He was primarily added for speed and defense, though. After just missing on a couple of diving attempts at balls in the first few weeks, Bader made a pretty, sliding catch on the warning track Tuesday.

Nimmo, of course, isn’t going anywhere atop the Mets’ order. His bat recently came alive, though even when he wasn’t getting hits, he was still drawing walks. The Mets’ stalwart moved to left field this season but has dabbled in center field on days when Bader isn’t in the lineup.

Taylor brings elite defense — he has never made an error in the majors — more plus-speed and crushes fastballs. He has displayed good fundamentals when getting bunts down and has been smart on the bases.

For Stearns and the Mets, this type of athletic outfield with speed and defense was always part of the plan for this season. It won’t always look like this in the outfield. But the idea is to have quality depth to account for slumps, poor play, injuries or whatever else comes up. And for the Mets, Taylor plays a big role in that.

“The one thing I like about Taylor is he’s ready to play all the time,” Mendoza said. “You know as a manager that he’s going to be ready for any situation.”

(Photo of Tyrone Taylor: Mary Altaffer / Associated Press)

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

New York Mets,MLB