With a litany of injuries plaguing the New York Mets (41-42) this season, it seems just about everyone of the team's highly-touted AA or AAA prospects has been given a chance to make it in the city that never sleeps in 2011.Â
Some have had their cups of coffee and quickly fizzled weeks later, and then there are those like former USC first baseman/left fielder Lucas Duda (2005-2007) who have seized every opportunity to compete at the big league level.
While his numbers (.239 batting average, six doubles and 10 RBIs) through 28 games may not be considered eye-popping upon first glance, the former CIF-SS Division I Player of the Year (2004) is beginning to become a regular fixture on the Metropolitans' nightly lineup card.
In the absence of offensive threats like five-time All-Star David Wright (third baseman) and Ike Davis (first baseman), Duda has picked up the slack in the Big Apple over the past 10 days. In his last 28 plate appearances, the Fontana,CA native has collected 11 hits and six RBIs, while raising his average 80 points.
Last Saturday against the Rangers, Duda (97th Trojan to play at the big league level) had a career night with four hits, three doubles and a team-high four RBIs in the Mets' 14-5 road win. With the power-hitting prowess of Davis likely shut down for the season (potential microfracture surgery), the first baseman job looks to be Duda's to lose as Terry Collins' squad makes a run at the wild card spot in the National League.
Duda might not take home any postseason honors as the league's top rookie when all is said and done, but nonetheless it's nice to see a former Trojan not only survive but thrive in the harsh sports climate of New York City.
(Photo by Mets 360)
