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Don't Write Him Off Just Yet: Mets' D'Arnaud Is Scorching In Minors

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's been a nightmarish sophomore season for Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud.

But since being demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on June 8, the 25-year-old has been lighting it up in the Pacific Coast League.

And when we say lighting it up, we mean lighting it up.

The backstop has played seven games -- none of which have been at home park Cashman Field -- for the 51s since being optioned and has been absolutely scorching at the plate.

The former top prospect is 12-for-29 (.414) with five home runs, 10 RBIs and two doubles. He's drawn three walks, scored eight runs and struck out only twice. His on-base percentage? A ridiculous .485.

Yes, the California native is playing in the hitter-friendly PCL, but maybe it's not time to write d'Arnaud off just yet.

It remains to be seen how long d'Arnaud will stay in the minors. General manager Sandy Alderson -- who still has plenty of faith in his young catcher -- might not want to rush him back to Queens as he continues to find his swing and his confidence.

Sometimes patience really is a virtue.

"If you look at some of the young catchers in baseball, you'll see that several of them -- many of them -- have struggled early in their careers with the bat and gradually figured it out," Alderson told Newsday.

The current catchers on the Mets' 25-man roster are Anthony Recker and Taylor Teagarden.

Before being sent down to Vegas, d'Arnaud hit .180 with three homers and nine RBIs in 128 at-bats for the Amazin's.

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