The Mets’ ostensible fourth outfielder is hitting .341 with an .841 OPS.
Tyrone Taylor — a solid and quick defender who can play any outfield position — arguably has hit better than he has fielded through the first nearly three weeks of action.
When Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns came over from the Brewers and essentially brought Taylor (and Adrian Houser) with him through a trade, there was little doubt Taylor would be a useful player.
Through the small sample size of his first 15 games with his new team, Taylor has played like much more than that.
“I like the at-bats,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I see a good hitter at the plate right now.”
On Wednesday, even Taylor’s outs — a nicely struck ball that Pittsburgh third baseman Jared Triolo leapt for and snared — were well-hit.
His hits outnumbered the outs, though, on a 3-for-4 afternoon with two RBIs, a run scored and a steal.
“Definitely happy with the results. It helps build confidence,” Taylor said after the 9-1 win over the Pirates at Citi Field. “But I’ve been doing a good job of having an approach every at-bat and just trying to put together good at-bats.”
He has continued posting good at-bats despite somewhat unpredictable playing time.
Taylor has started in 10 of the Mets’ 18 games and subbed in as a defensive replacement in five more.
He has received regular, if not everyday, time in part because the Mets have used a revolving door at designated hitter, shuffling Starling Marte in particular to DH, which creates a spot in the outfield for Taylor to roam.
The Mets’ outfield can be formidable defensively if he is teamed with Harrison Bader and Brandon Nimmo.
But such an outfield when DH J.D. Martinez joins the club would mean Marte, who also has hit well, would be squeezed out of at-bats.
Whenever Martinez is ready — the latest hope is perhaps sometime during the next homestand that begins at the end of next week — the club will have decisions to make regarding how it employs Taylor.
What the Mets have seen so far has been impressive.
“He’s short to the ball, and he’s ready to hit the fastball,” Mendoza said of Taylor, who sprayed singles to left, center and right Wednesday, two on a fastball and one on a slider. “That’s a good recipe for a major league hitter.”
Taylor essentially had the same fourth-outfielder role with the Brewers.
In parts of five seasons with Milwaukee, Taylor’s OPS (.746) was slightly above-average, he offered some pop (41 homers in 331 games) and added a speed dimension (with 18 steals).
But he was better known for his defensive flexibility and excellence.
After another solid day, perhaps Taylor can show there is more to tap into.
“I just try to be my best self every day,” the 30-year-old said. “I work hard in practice. I have a game plan. I’m consistent with my work for BP and stuff. I definitely have the mindset of getting better every day.
“But you never know with baseball. Good things happen. Bad things happen. I’m just riding the wave.”
