PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have a need for speed, and that’s where Eric Young Jr. comes into the picture. Young showed up early to training camp Tuesday to get the leadoff ball rolling. His goal is to lock down the leadoff spot and increase his on-base percentage from last season’s .310.
The shirt he was wearing said it all: “Speed Swag.”
Young led the NL with 46 stolen bases in 2013. He could wind up playing in the outfield or second base, all because the Mets need him to be their leadoff hitter. Young is not going to fret about where he plays in the field.
“Play baseball, that’s what it is all about,’’ he said. “If it’s left field, center field, right field, second base, it doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m out there on the field having fun.’’
Make no mistake, leadoff is where it’s at for Young. When asked if he would prefer to be leadoff hitter, he didn’t hold back.
“Big time,’’ he said. “That’s what I was as a little kid, that’s what I’ve been my whole life is a leadoff hitter.’’
He talked to both Curtis Granderson and Chris Young this offseason. He knows Chris Young well thanks to camp time spent together because the Rockies (Eric’s former team) and Diamondbacks (one of Chris’ former teams) share a spring training complex.
In the offseason he worked infield and outfield.
“I wanted to make sure I was prepared for anything coming into camp,’’ said Young, who could wind up in the outfield or at second base if Daniel Murphy moves to first base.
As for first, general manager Sandy Alderson said on WFAN Radio the loser of the Ike Davis/Lucas Duda spring training battle “likely’’ would be sent to the minors.
The Mets could go with a modified four-man outfield rotation and have the outfielder who is not playing that day be the first bat off the bench.
Left-hander Jon Niese is looking to start Opening Day again, but is not going to be upset if he does not. Because he is the only lefty starter, manager Terry Collins may place Niese between Zack Wheeler and Bartolo Colon.
“It’s an honor, it’s great, but I think everyone in our rotation deserves it,’’ Niese said. ”[The addition of Colon was] much needed. We’re excited to have him. With [Matt] Harvey going down, it’s a great addition.’’
Niese said he added some shoulder exercises to his routine after last year’s shoulder issues.
Jeremy Hefner is coming back from Tommy John surgery and does not expect to pitch this season. He decided to come back to the Mets because it is a comfortable situation — he has a long working relationship with Alderson. Hefner said it’s important to be with a team with a good training staff.
“I’m probably going to miss the whole year,’’ Hefner said.
He will be workout buddies with Harvey, who is also coming back from Tommy John surgery. “I won’t be down here by myself,’’ Hefner said. “Matt is a month behind me surgery wise.’’
He smiled and added, “golfing buddy.’’