Why Mets outfielder, who’s an ‘elite defender,’ is now dangerous at the plate too

NEW YORK — Mets manager Carlos Mendoza felt something was amiss with center fielder Tyrone Taylor‘s swing earlier this season.

It was during the series against the Washington Nationals in late April. At the time, through 22 games, he was batting .178 with a .467 OPS and had just three extra-base hits and seven runs scored.

“He was too mechanic,” Mendoza said about Taylor’s swing during and before that Nationals series.

The manager advised his outfielder, whom he called an “elite defender” the night before, to take advantage of his athleticism.

“And then he started controlling the strike zone,” Mendoza said, “and started putting the barrel on the ball.”

Taylor has become a different hitter since that series in the nation’s capital.

He’s 23-for-71 (.324 batting average) in 25 games during that span and has a .863 OPS with eight extra-base hits, including a home run, five RBIs, and 11 runs scored.

On Monday, Taylor sparked the rally that led to a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox — his second night contributing to a win, this time with his bat.

Leading off the ninth inning, Taylor hit a deep line drive to center field that White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. nearly caught on a slide. The hit might have been a triple, but the speedy outfielder admitted that he “was staring at it for too long.”

He settled for a double.

No matter. White Sox reliever Steven Wilson allowed the next two batters on, putting Taylor on third with shortstop Francisco Lindor at the plate.

And in typical Lindor fashion, he hit a deep fly ball to right field, allowing Taylor to tag up and score the winning run.

“I see a guy that has a lot of confidence,” Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who drove in Taylor on a sacrifice fly in the ninth, said. “A guy who feels like he can hit any pitch. A guy that gives good at-bats every single day.”

Pair this with his defense, and the Mets suddenly have a center fielder who can go up against anybody.

The total for Tuesday’s Mets versus White Sox game is set at 8 over on FanDuel. Our FanDuel Sportsbook review shows you how to sign up and use their app.

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Manny Gómez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.