Brandon Nimmo hasn’t hid his disappointment over being bypassed for the All-Star Game.
His numbers, the Mets’ outfielder believes, are more than good enough to warrant selection. But that’s not what’s behind his recent power surge.
“Does it give me any extra [motivation]? You know, sure, but that’s never really worked for me,” Nimmo told The Post after he homered for the third straight game in the Mets’ 6-2 win over the Nationals at Citi Field on Wednesday night. “It worked in football when I played football, but it’s never worked in baseball for me.”
To Nimmo, he’s now getting rewarded for consistently hitting the ball hard.
He’s not trying to hit home runs, but they are coming, nine long balls in his past 20 games.
With 16 homers, he’s on pace to set a career high, after going deep 24 times a year ago.
Nimmo has never been thought of as a power hitter, or even a run-producer.
His best asset was always his ability to get on base, with a career .379 on-base percentage produced mainly out of the leadoff stop.
But recently, that’s changing.
He’s also sporting an impressive .832 OPS and has driven in a team-high 59 runs, nine shy of his personal best of 68 set last year.
“I’ve kind of always known, when I’ve been in the big leagues, that there was more in the tank,” Nimmo said. “It was just getting it out while playing a season, making adjustments, getting a little bit better here and there as you’re trying to compete on an everyday basis. You want to be able to produce as you’re getting better. … I did know there was more inside of me and I could be better, and this is kind of the player I always dreamed and hoped and thought I could turn into. It’s just taken a little bit of time.”
On May 18, the Mets moved Francisco Lindor into the leadoff spot.
Nimmo initially batted third, before settling into the second spot.
He’s excelled there.
Since May 31 spanning 33 games, Nimmo is slashing .315/.396/.591 with a .986 OPS, nine home runs and 30 RBIs.
“I do feel like my numbers have spoken for themselves this year, and I do feel like I’ve played All-Star worthy to be selected,” Nimmo said. “But I wouldn’t say I’m trying to go out there and hit home runs every day. I’m still doing the same stuff I’ve been trying to do the whole year. I’m just seeing a few more results home run-wise.”