Hayden Senger was a great story coming out of spring training, but over the last month the Mets rookie backstop has become much more than just a good story — he’s become a big leaguer.
“He’s grown a lot and now he knows he can play at this level,” manager Carlos Mendoza said earlier this week. “That’s the biggest thing for me is that he knows he’s proved that he can catch at this level.”
Senger’s story has been well told: The 28-year-old spent six seasons in the minor leagues after wrapping up his college career at Miami (Ohio), and spends his winters stocking shelves at a Whole Foods near his Nashville-area home. Finally, his opportunity at a major league roster spot opened up this spring when Francisco Alvarez needed hamate bone surgery, and he was named to the Mets’ Opening Day roster.
However, with Alvarez nearing a return, Senger appears to be heading back to the minor leagues. Alvarez could join the Mets as soon as Friday in Washington, when the Mets begin a four-game series against the Nationals. It’s a bit of a cruel twist for a player who has been riding the buses in the minor leagues for more than half of a decade, but Senger has always understood that he was filling in temporarily.
It doesn’t diminish what he’s done in the interim.
“I’ve always really admired him as a catcher,” said left-hander David Peterson. “The way he handles the game, pitch calling, defensively, as a framer, and he has a really great arm. It’s been fun to watch him take this opportunity and run with it, and he’s been huge for us.”
In 13 games, Senger’s defensive metrics have been among the best in baseball. According to Statcast, Senger has the second-strongest arm in the league (85.2 mph), and he rates highly in framing and blocking. He’s caught three of five runners trying to steal on him and drawn rave reviews from the pitching staff.
“The ability to slow the game down when the game gets fast, especially when you’re behind the plate and you’re calling pitches, that’s not easy,” Mendoza said. “One of the things that I’ve been really impressed with is how much time he’s spent preparing himself by talking to our pitchers and our pitching coaches. So when he has to go out there and the game gets fast, he’s got that ability because he’s prepared.”
Senger credits the Mets’ development staff for a seamless transition. The data and scouting reports disseminated to the players in the major league clubhouse are similar to what the minor leaguers receive. The biggest adjustment Senger had to make was in calling pitches, adjusting immediately to an emphasis on winning.
“You have to kind of call a game a little differently up here,” Senger said. “In the minors, sometimes it’s about development, especially in the lower levels. You’re trying to get one guy’s pitch better, so you kind of focus on that pitch for a game. But here, it’s whatever you can to get the guy out, and learn different sequences with the different guys, and what they like to throw.”
By the time pitchers and catchers hit Double- and Triple-A, they’re starting to sequence, so Senger is far from an amateur. Still, it’s a different challenge with more pressure, which necessitates more prep work.
“It’s definitely more mentally taxing,” he said. “I was expecting it. I’m always mentally taxed after every game because it’s a lot of thinking behind the plate. Up here, it feels like every pitch matters, and one pitch can matter a little more. So it’s using all of your brain power to think like, ‘What is the best pitch here?” It’s a little mentally exhausting, and I find myself sleeping pretty good at night after these games.”
The Mets are also extremely happy with the progress he’s made at the plate. His first hit was a double in Miami, and Senger said he couldn’t stop smiling while rounding first base.
“I think the game itself doesn’t change, it’s just that everybody is better and the pitchers can really take advantage of your weaknesses,” Senger said. “That’s something that I work on. So, in the end, I guess it helps if they keep attacking you with something, because you’ve got to figure out how to fix it.”
Any offense he contributes is viewed as a bonus. Senger’s job is to handle a pitching staff, which he’s done, and done well.
“We’ve always known he’s a major league defender,” said Mets catching coordinator Glenn Sherlock. “But I would say he got some big hits, and he’s stepped up in some pressure spots, whether it’s moving runners or getting some hits. Also, his preparation has been great.”
Between Senger, Alvarez and Luis Torrens, the Mets have some things to figure out. Having three strong catchers, and two who can produce runs, is an enviable problem. Playing time may eventually work itself out, but at this point in time, Senger appears bound for Syracuse once again. The Mets hope he understands that it’s temporary.
As for Senger himself, he’ll miss exploring New York City’s various restaurants with his wife, Ryann, but he’ll really miss the big league amenities.
“The nice hotels are definitely the best part,” he said.
