Typically, it simply takes a full dash to the left-center hole — the place Tyrone Taylor dove to catch a ball that left Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s bat with a velocity of 101.3 mph and an anticipated batting common of .490 Tuesday — to supply as conspicuous a reminder of defensive worth as attainable.
Typically, a second in Recreation 30 can present proof for why the Mets outfield construction ought to look the identical 5 months later when every part wraps up.
Protection had all the time been Taylor’s power, as he arrived final yr with out an error charged to his 331-game MLB ledger earlier than committing his first three in 2024.
He turned the go-to defensive choice in middle subject through the Mets postseason, too, when well timed hits adopted.
Then, in opposition to the Diamondbacks, Taylor made the catch that prompted him to mouth “wow” within the second and utter “pretty cool” and “pretty sweet” descriptors 20 hours later.
If the Mets wanted one other trace of the worth that Taylor supplies when patrolling the outfield, he offered one — together with a pair of run-scoring hits — throughout their win, and he’ll must channel that throughout their subsequent stretch of video games to fend off competitors.
Jose Siri is anticipated to return from a fractured left tibia in some unspecified time in the future. Jeff McNeil and Luisangel Acuña may be plugged in at middle at any second, too.
So this subsequent run of video games, persevering with Wednesday when he began in middle and hit ninth, may assist decide Taylor’s position shifting ahead.
“I don’t think about it like that,” Taylor advised The Put up earlier than he homered for the primary time this season and added one other multi-hit sport through the Mets’ 4-3 loss. “But I think I just take every day the same — no matter what the circumstances are. I’m just here, thankful to be here and trying to be my best self.”
Taylor has hit simply .222 this season, however he has now collected a number of hits in consecutive video games.
And within the body following his RBI single Tuesday, he accomplished the catch that he had no selection however to rewatch a number of occasions postgame. Household texted the replay to him. Pals, too.
He couldn’t inform how sturdy his first few steps had been — one thing he has been engaged on with Antoan Richardson this season — however his closing velocity, Taylor mentioned, helped him safe the catch.
He’ll want to attend till he watches the overhead digicam view to evaluate the early steps.
He hadn’t considered the place it ranked among the many greatest in his profession, both.
Taylor was simply content material with pairing the catch and the hits collectively.
He was simply centered on being able to contribute “whether I’m in the lineup or not,” one thing that might proceed to vary because the plan for middle subject takes form.
Video games equivalent to Tuesday and Wednesday, although, may assist that call sway in his favor.
“Anytime I’m able to contribute to the team like that,” Taylor mentioned, “it’s a good feeling. Hopefully I can do more of that.”
