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Lucas Duda Could Take Over as Offensive Leader of New York Mets in 2015

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By @mturnerny

Lucas Duda New York Mets

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

At the age of 32, New York Mets captain David Wright, for the first time ever, has some question marks surrounding him. Last year was easily one of his worst years as a pro, but he suffered from a bad shoulder all season, so it’s difficult to conclude whether it was Wright’s age or injury (or both) that led to the performance. However, the emerging Lucas Duda is actually entering camp with very few question marks, and he could be poised for a big season.

While Wright still has six years left, as he enters the back-end of his prime, 2015 could be the season in which we see Duda take over as the offensive leader of the Mets.

After struggling with two able first basemen in Duda and Ike Davis, the Mets finally picked one early last season, and stuck with him. It happened to be Duda, who had a career year in his first full year as a starter, hitting .253/.349/.481 with 30 home runs and 92 RBIs. Davis, for contrast, hit .233/.344/.378 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs. Previous to 2014, Duda’s career highs in home runs and RBIs were 15, which he accomplished twice, and 57.

The improvements he made in just one year were astounding, and it’s very exciting to think of what type of season he could have this year if he continues to make even only small improvements. First and foremost, the Mets should, and do, expect a comeback season from Wright this year. Secondly, they’ve added another solid bat in Michael Cuddyer. Both of them should lengthen the Mets’ lineup, and will provide additional protection for Duda. And then there’s the newly shortened right field fence. Those external factors alone should put Duda in line for another strong performance.

Looking further into Duda’s career statistics, we can see that his walk totals have increased in each of his five years in the pros. Although he walked only 69 times last season, that number is almost certain to rise, which will do wonders for Duda’s already-strong .349 on-base percentage. The only detriment to Duda’s increased walk totals was his willingness to take too many pitches, putting him into a two-strike hole fairly often. Thus, he also struck out a career-high 135 times last year.

Prior to last season’s end, the Mets fired their hitting coach, and brought in another on an interim basis. During the offseason, they hired former New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long to be their full-time coach. Long is known for revamping Curtis Granderson’s swing, turning him into a legitimate power threat when he was with the Yankees. Obviously, reuniting those two should help Granderson, who underwhelmed in his first season across the city, but additionally, Duda, another lefty, could benefit from his time with Long.

He doesn’t need to become a 40-plus home run player, but if Duda can hit another 30, and continue to maintain or raise his average, OBP and walks, while cutting down (even a little) on his strikeout totals, he might be able to carry the Mets into October while perhaps even putting his name into a few serious MVP discussions. All signs are pointing in the right direction for Duda, who seemingly hasn’t reached his full potential yet, and if he continues to work towards that in 2015, everyone will be in for a show.

Matt Turner is a New York Mets Writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @MTurnerNY, or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.

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