Seven spring numbers to watch for the Mets and Yankees

Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Alex Rodriguez is batting .300 (6-for-20) this spring as he returns from a yearlong suspension for his involvement with the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal. His four walks are tied (with Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge) for the team lead and he’s also struck out only four times, a good indication of his readiness to judge pitches in the strike zone.” data-id=”110077374″ data-link=”https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/18342_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.10077374″/>
Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Johnny Monell is having a big camp, hitting .440 (11-for-25) with three home runs, leading some observers to wonder if he’s a better option to back up Travis d’Arnaud than Anthony Recker (pictured), who is 3-for-18 (.167). So, let’s compare the minor-league track records of the two, who have a similar number of games played: Monell is a .264 hitter with a .347 OBP and 81 home runs in 709 games, and Recker is a .273 hitter with a .351 OBP and 100 home runs in 731 games. Also note that Monell has gone deep off Jose Veras, Kirby Yates and Preston Claiborne, fringe relievers appearing near the end of games with all the regulars long gone.” data-id=”110077346″ data-link=”https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/18343_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.10077346″/>
Photo Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa

Matt den Dekker has the odd accomplishment of tallying more walks than hits this spring. The Mets outfielder is 6-for-25 with eight walks and 10 strikeouts.” data-id=”110077326″ data-link=”https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/18344_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.10077326″/>
Photo Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa

Kirk Nieuwenhuis, battling for a bench spot with the Mets, is 5-for-10 with two doubles against lefthanders this spring. Nieuwenhuis, a lefthanded hitter, saw 120 of his 130 plate appearances in 2014 against righthanded pitchers, so an ability to hit lefties would add to his value.” data-id=”110077299″ data-link=”https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/18345_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.10077299″/>
Photo Credit: Mike Stobe

Chase Headley, Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira are a combined 4-for-23 (.173).” data-id=”110077255″ data-link=”https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/18346_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.10077255″/>
Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Spring training stats are meaningless. Generally. But they can be useful in showing trends or highlighting a particular area of strength or weakness a team is focusing its attention on. Here are some spring numbers worth watching until both New York teams head north to begin the 2015 MLB season.