Travis d’Arnaud: Top-10 Catcher Potential in 2016
By Bill Pivetz
The New York Mets are one of the youngest teams in all of baseball. One of those youngsters is catcher Travis d’Arnaud and has the makings of a superstar.
The New York Mets surprised mostly everyone by coming out of the National League Central and made their way to the World Series. They relied heavily on their pitching, and Daniel Murphy, to lead them to that spot. There is one player that has gone widely unnoticed or unrecognized, and that is catcher Travis d’Arnaud.
d’Arnaud spent eight years in the minor leagues, beginning with Philadelphia and then Toronto before landing with the Mets. Signs of being a productive catcher began in his 2009 season with Single-A Lakewood. He hit 13 home runs, 71 RBI and stole eight bases with a .255 batting average. Things got better in Double-A New Hampshire in the Toronto farm system. He hit 21 home runs, 78 RBI and a .311 average in 114 games.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle
He spent some time on the main roster in 2013, but wasn’t much to critique. In 31 games, he hit just one home run and five RBI.
Travis d’Arnaud started the 2014 season with Mets. He played 104 games, hitting 13 home runs, 41 RBI and a .242 average. He suffered a third concussion on May 13. He was then optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on June 8. He was called back up on June 24, and hit .272 for the remainder of the season.
The 2015 season didn’t get off to the best start. He was hit by a pitch on April 19 and was placed on he 15-day DL. He missed the final week of June all but one day in July with a hyperextended elbow injury. He finished the 2015 season with 12 home runs, 41 RBI and a .268 average in just 67 games.
Unfortunately, there is something stopping d’Arnaud from becoming an everyday catcher. Assistant General Manager John Ricco. He made a statement, saying that d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki could be a platoon next season. That doesn’t bode well for d’Arnaud’s fantasy value in 2016.
Despite the split time, I think Travis d’Arnaud will have a great season, when he does play, that he will become the starting catcher. Plawecki hit just three home runs, 21 RBI and .219./280/.296 in 73 games this season. I’m going to dismiss those power numbers because they aren’t the be-all, end-all for hitters, but that .219 average is captivating.
Next: Toronto Blue Jays Re-Sign J.A. Happ
Travis d’Arnaud has the skills of a typical catcher. Contact. Power. Good defense. With fantasy owners only needing one catcher and the likelihood of split playing time, he may not be drafted until the later rounds. However, he will be a sleeper for anyone who does draft him.
Projections: 82 hits, 12 home runs, 48 RBI, .258 batting average.
Draft: Round 17