ARLINGTON, Texas — The Mets knew what they were receiving in the outfield from Harrison Bader, but the surprise might be the respectable production he’s brought offensively.
After two straight subpar offensive seasons, Bader is healthy and among the Mets players enjoying a strong June.
Bader entered Tuesday’s play with a .282/.295/.538 slash line for the month with two homers and 10 RBIs.
Overall he owned a .712 OPS for this season, and he’s continued to bring Gold Glove caliber defense to center field.
“It all starts with one thing, and that’s health and being available,” said Bader, who appeared in just 98 games last season with the Yankees and Reds. “Last season was more challenging for me because I had never experienced an injury like I did, but I went through [surgery], and everything in this game is a response, so I am just doing my best to go out there and be effective on all sides of the baseball.”
Bader underwent sports hernia surgery at the conclusion of last season.
The Mets later signed him to a one-year contract worth $10.5 million with an eye toward improving their outfield defense but are starting to reap from his offensive talent.
In his 28 games dating to May 16, entering play, Bader had 19 RBIs and 11 extra-base hits.
And manager Carlos Mendoza pointed to Bader’s .743 OPS this season against right-handed pitching.
Mendoza, as the Yankees bench coach, saw enough of Bader in The Bronx to understand the Westchester native could have this kind of impact for his new team.
“It’s a credit to him that he’s working really hard on his offense,” Mendoza said. “You look at his numbers against righties, he’s been pretty good, and clutch hits. I think it’s just keeping things simple: think small and don’t try to do too much.”
Bader is hardly the only Mets player on the rise, as the team has broken out offensively not only in recent days but over the past month.
The highlight was consecutive games against the Padres and Rangers on Sunday and Monday in which the Mets scored 11 and 14 runs, respectively.
They had a six-game winning streak (matching a season high) with Monday’s victory.
“We went through some things and adversity, and we’re probably going to have to do it again,” Bader said. “All these experiences, and how you respond and how you internalize them, will allow you to be better the next time it comes around, and this game is all about minimizing how long things aren’t going your way, whether it’s going 0-for-10. How can you not go 0-for-11? How can you avoid going 0-for-12?”
Bader’s positivity is an attribute that has endeared him to fans and teammates alike.
J.D. Martinez said he didn’t know Bader is “how he is.”
Asked to clarify that comment, Martinez declined out of fear his message would be misconstrued.
But it’s clear the veteran DH has come to appreciate Bader and his bubbling personality.
“He cracks me up every day with something he does,” Martinez said. “I am big on guys that bring energy into a clubhouse and not drain energy out of it. I think he is one of those guys that brings it.”
Bader said it’s the collective approach this season, with selflessness among his teammates that has inspired him.
“Winning lineups are versatile, adapt and can adjust to the game situation,” he said. “This team more than other teams I have been on plays into those roles and those situations a lot more. I think we have seen it be beneficial and we have seen it not beneficial. But we have the ability to do it, which is important. We are going to need adjustability. It’s a roomful of guys with something to prove, and that is all you can ask.”