THAT’S HOW YOU DO IT: Travis d’Arnaud shows off the ball after applying a swipe tag to get the Cardinals’ Oscar Tavares. The Mets don’t want d’Arnaud blocking the plate. (AP)
THAT’S HOW YOU DO IT: Travis d’Arnaud shows off the ball after applying a swipe tag to get the Cardinals’ Oscar Tavares. The Mets don’t want d’Arnaud blocking the plate. (
)
JUPITER, Fla. — Travis d’Arnaud has impressed the Mets this spring, but just as importantly he’s impressed himself.
The biggest question concerning the 24-year-old catcher, who was the centerpiece of the R.A. Dickey trade to Toronto in December, has been answered: His left knee is again sound, after a torn posterior collateral ligament forced him to miss the second half of last season for the Blue Jays’ Triple-A team.
But the performance has been there, too.
“I feel like I’ve been playing really well and getting my comfort level back in the box after not playing for so long,” d’Arnaud said yesterday before going 2-for-3 in the Mets’ 3-2 exhibition victory over the Cardinals. “I’m catching well and [my] game-calling [has been good]. I feel like I’ve been doing pretty well.”
D’Arnaud, who is batting .345 in 29 at-bats this spring, is still ticketed to begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. Barring an injury, the Mets will head north in 11 days with the catching tandem of John Buck and Anthony Recker.
But there is little question within the organization that d’Arnaud will become the Mets’ starting catcher at some point this season.
“He’s close — real close,” said Mets bench coach Bob Geren, the team’s catching instructor. “There are no major weaknesses.”
As much as d’Arnaud’s ability has impressed Geren, the rookie’s demeanor is just as notable. Geren mentioned a mound conversation last week in which d’Arnaud was told by manager Terry Collins that Atlanta’s runner at first base, Jose Constanza, was a threat to steal. D’Arnaud broke up the meeting by telling Collins, “You know, I can throw.” Two pitches later, Constanza was thrown out by d’Arnaud.
“It was just right, like a confident, funny, witty, not overconfident [response],”Geren said. “I think it’s a nice personality to go along with the talent.”
D’Arnaud also had a noticeable play yesterday, when he tagged out Oscar Tavares at home plate in the fourth inning. As the Mets have instructed him, d’Arnaud received the throw in front of the plate and applied a swipe tag. The Mets hope such technique — instead of directly blocking the plate — will reduce d’Arnaud’s chances of injury.
“That’s how you do it,” Collins said. “He was out in front of the plate when he got the ball and then he moved in to protect himself. That’s the best way to do it.”
Offensively, d’Arnaud is without a homer this spring, but has pleased the Mets by using the entire field.
“In the beginning I was a little too antsy and trying to do a little too much and I had a talk with Hudgy [hitting coach Dave Hudgens] about just relaxing and getting pitches I can handle,” d’Arnaud said. “So far it’s been successful and I feel a lot more comfortable at the plate.”
Geren said the veteran Buck deserves some of the credit for making d’Arnaud comfortable in camp. The two catchers have adjacent lockers at the Mets spring training complex, allowing for plenty of dialogue.
“Sometimes you get a veteran guy, when you have a young guy basically wanting to take his job, he’s not going to help him,” Geren said. “Or you have somebody who will help him just enough so he doesn’t look like a bad guy.
“Or you have somebody like John who is at the far end of the spectrum, who is a real team-oriented guy who wants what is best for the team — he’s going to get himself ready to play and yet he’s also going to help the young kid any way he can to help him, so he’s been tremendous. The catching is a lot better.”
mpuma@nypost.com