IGNITER! Eric Young Jr., celebrating after scoring a run during the Mets sweep of the Giants, has given the team much-needed production from the leadoff spot. The 28-year-old New Brunswick, N.J., native said he “loves it here.” (AP)
PITTSBURGH — Eric Young Jr. has become the latest player to bring respectability to the Mets’ “what outfield?”
In assessing the factors responsible for his team’s noticeable improvement over the last three weeks, manager Terry Collins isn’t afraid to put Young’s arrival from the Rockies on June 19 at the top of the list.
“The energy level has been raised since we got E.Y. and called up some guys from the minor leagues,” Collins said after the Mets completed a three-game sweep of the Giants on Wednesday and improved to 16-9 since June 16. Collins’ club opens a three-game set against the Pirates tonight.
Those other additions have included Josh Satin, Andrew Brown and Kirk Nieuwenhuis, but Young stands out for the stability he has brought to the leadoff spot. In 21 games since his arrival, Young is batting .290 with a .368 on-base percentage and seven stolen bases.
PICK YOUR METS ALL-TIME ALL-STAR TEAM
Another castoff, Marlon Byrd, has 15 home runs and 49 RBIs heading into the Mets’ final series before the All-Star break, which begins tonight against the Pirates. So the “what outfield?” general manager Sandy Alderson joked about last offseason no longer seems like a punch line.
The problems Young’s speed can create were on display Wednesday, when he opened the game against Matt Cain with a walk and stole second, racing to third on Buster Posey’s wild throw, though Young initially had problems picking up the ball. His speed compensated for the delay.
“That goes into the whole mind-set of make sure you give your best effort,” Young said. “Even when plays sometimes seem like they are routine, you always want to give your max effort because they have to make the play. You want to force them to make the play, regardless of how difficult or easy it is.”
Since Jose Reyes’ departure before the 2012 season, the Mets have tried Nieuwenhuis, Andres Torres, Ruben Tejada and Daniel Murphy, among others, atop the lineup to varying degrees of success. None have looked the part as much as Young.
“He’s the prototypical leadoff guy,” Byrd said. “I’m just so glad we have him over here.
“He just never got that consistent playing time [in Colorado] and over here he’s got that chance. He sees the opportunity and knows he’s going to be out there every single day. He’s showing what he can do.”
Collins said there isn’t much doubt Young has been the team’s best leadoff option since Reyes left.
“Andres Torres did a nice job last year when he wasn’t hurt, but certainly this year this guy has made a big difference in our lineup,” Collins said.
The 28-year-old Young, a New Brunswick, N.J. native, would like to think he has found a home.
“I love it here. It’s a great bunch of guys,” he said. “I see a lot of drive and fight in everybody and I think we’re going to make it exciting in the second half.”