Mets' outfielder off to strong start in Class A
New York Mets center fielder Matt den Dekker attempts but fails to catch the double hit by Florida Marlins' Brett Hayes during the eighth inning of a spring training game. (March 30, 2011) Credit: AP
Matt den Dekker, the Mets’ fifth-round pick in last year’s draft, made a few impressive cameos during spring training for the big-league club and he’s continued to play well at Class A St. Lucie. The 23-year-old outfielder went 2-for-4 yesterday with a three-run homer and a sacrifice fly in a 9-4 victory over Bradenton.
Overall, den Dekker is batting .370 (30-for-81) with 11 doubles, two triples, one homer and 15 RBIs in 19 games. The speedy den Dekker, with a .395 on-base percentage, has been the regular No. 2 hitter at St. Lucie, sandwiched between leadoff man Cesar Puello and Wilmer Flores, and has scored a team-high 19 runs.
