Collin Cowgill Could Be New York Mets Best Outfielder

Collin Cowgill has been one of the biggest surprises for the New York Mets this spring. While centerfielder prospect Matt Den Dekker has turned heads with his glove, Cowgill has been equally as impressive with his bat. Cowgill was acquired in a trade with the Oakland Athletics this offseason.

The Mets original plan was to platoon Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Cowgill in centerfield, but if Cowgill continues to swing the bat like he has, he could be promoted to full time starter. Nieuwenhuis has been injured and ineffective at the plate this spring training, while Cowgill has hit .400/.500/.640 in 11 games. Cowgill has only played 74 games in the MLB with a career .255 average. However, this is his best spring training he has had in his short career. Spring training success does not always translate to the regular season, but the rest of the outfield has been pretty average by comparison.

If Cowgill continues to impress this spring, he should get the chance to become the Mets everyday centerfielder, and could be the best outfielder that the team has in the upcoming season. Marlon Byrd has been a proven starter at times, but is coming off his worst season as a professional, and Lucas Duda has not become the hitter the team hoped he would be yet. The team missed out on signing free agent outfielder Michael Bourn this offseason, but picked up Cowgill for a much cheaper price. He might not be on Bourn’s level, but Cowgill continues to be a bright spot in an otherwise mediocre pre-season for New York.