Each year at 213 we look through the Non-Roster Invitees to spring training and get to know them a bit. Are they in camp to get a look at big league hitting/pitching to aid their development? Are the Mets just trying to get a better look at a future rookie? Are they a veteran trying to get back to the major league level? What can we expect from them this season?
David Rodriguez could be a dark horse candidate to take the back up catcher spot if Nido falters for any reason.The Mets know what could be getting from Rene Rivera, but Rodriguez provides a bit of intrigue, hope that you caught lighting in a bottle…maybe.
The knock on David, similar to Patrick Mazeika, for figuring out a catcher depth chart is that he still hasn’t made it to the majors yet. But, unlike Rivera who will be 36 this season, David is will be only 24, and he has yet to play in a league where he is older than the average player.
In Double A Montgomery last season he had 295 PAs, hitting .225/.303/.366. Which is down from his minors career line of .250/.322/.369. He did have a tremendous winter league between the 2018-19 seasons in Venezuela where in 131 PAs he hit .317/.385/.471. Over his three seasons in winter leagues he has hit .356/.401/.534. Which the talent of these leagues are questionable but if you’re hitting .350 and getting on base more than 4 times every 10 trips to the plate, it’s worth rolling the dice to see what you can do in a new system stateside.
As stated early, he’s a dark horse for the back up position, so it would be a long shot. Generally what the Mets are doing right now is trying to build in some catching depth that if Ali Sanchez isn’t ready to go yet, then they don’t have to go to him in case of an emergency. But between Rivera and Rodriguez being the best options for a back up catcher if something happens to Nimo – you have to start wondering if the ghost of the Mesoraco situation last year is starting to sit on top of the franchise.
