Travis d’Arnaud – New York Mets
d’Arnaud appeared in 67 games for the Mets in 2015, hitting .268/.340/.485 with 64 hits, 14 doubles, one triple, twelve home runs, 31 runs, 41 RBIs, 23 walks, and 49 strikeouts with an OPS+ of 128 over 268 plate appearances.
The former first round pick that was once traded alongside Michael Taylor in a deal for Roy Halladay, and then once again with Noah Syndergaard for R.A. Dickey, will enter the 2016 season as one of the most promising catchers in the league. Travis d’Arnaud has so much versatility, in fact, that the Mets are considering occasionally playing him at shortstop.
The best catcher in the NL East may have wrapped up 2015 only appearing in 67 games, but he is expected to have a bounce back season and will enter Spring Training fully healthy. With d’Arnaud currently slotting in right behind key hitters Yoenis Cespedes and Lucas Duda in the lineup according to Rotochamp’s projections. The Mets have built their lineup around producing runs out of the catcher position, and everyone on the managerial staff appears to be all in.
Some call to question d’Arnaud’s caught stealing percentage of only 21% over the past two seasons as a weakness, but the Mets will certainly deal with it if his bat proves to be everything they expect it to.
The National League has a very interesting set of catchers. Tyler Flowers and Carlos Ruiz will be looking to provide veteran presences for their respective rebuilding teams. Wilson Ramos is entering a contract year with his career at a crossroads, while J.T. Realmuto is hoping to build off an impressive rookie season. Travis d’Arnaud may be the best of them all, but all five players have very unique expectations for 2016.
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