Kevin Pilar is still awaiting answers about why analytics is not conducive to his defense of late.
Meanwhile, the Mets outfielder is set to make a strong start to spring training with his bat as he tries to carry his success to the plate from the short season in 2020.
Pilar, who was batting 6-for-17 with three rounds on Saturday, simplified his approach at the plate last season, which he split between the Red Sox and Rocky. It turned out to be the best offensive year of his career – despite a small sample size – as he hit. .288 with 107 OPS-Plus in 54 games.
“I think the big thing was just the sense that I was a little bit more as a player, not constantly trying to discover a lot of different things – whether it was more power numbers or the opposite of the ball. Hit the field, “Pilar said before the Mets played the national game on Saturday night. “I really went back to the simplest form of hitting, like how I grew up, and this ball, hit ball, was seen with an idea.
“I want to hunt the pitch I’m looking for and if I don’t find it, sometimes you won’t get it. You are better off seeing more pitches and the pitcher makes a mistake. Just learn to wait for the pitcher a little longer, not always in the ‘go mode’ pitch one. “
Pilar, who signed this offseason with the Mets to solidify his offfield depth, arrived this spring. He said he came on the first pitch for the first time in Grapefruit League play on Friday, and when he finished 0-for-3, he made his presence felt defensively in right field, returning for a ball. Before the wind blew and forced. To grab him diving.
Although Pilar still feels he can provide a strong defense for the Mets, the 32-year-old defensive analytics has taken a hit in recent years – well above the average of plus-11 in 2016, according to Statcast on average, in 2019. In -2 and -120. Pilar said that earlier in the camp he was talking about how he could improve those numbers.
“The conversation has started, I have not reached the point where I have sat either. [acting general manager Zack Scott or manager Luis Rojas] Or some of our analytics people, ”said Pilar. “But this is something that will come here soon. … I’m still hungry to get better and this is something I want to try to do. “
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