Lucas Duda's surgically repaired wrist is fully recovered, and Duda will report to Port St. Lucie next week to join Dave Hudgens in early workout sessions. Hudgens intends to work with Duda on fixing his swing by having him take the same swings in the games as he does in the cage. Duda hit .239 with 15 home runs and 57 RBI in 401 at-bats last season.
"David Wright looks the same in the cage as he does during the game and Ike Davis is the same way," Hudgens told Mike Puma of the New York Post. "With Lucas, it's a little bit different. He's a little calmer in the cage, and then he gets in the game, probably the adrenaline and the emotion of the game, he gets wound up and going 100 mph."
I actually have no problem with Duda starting the season as the every-day left fielder. The potential for him to be a good hitter is all there, but he hasn't been able to really find a consistent approach to his game. He has shown flashes of brilliance, and would then go in a slump for weeks.
I am glad that he is getting an early start in Port St. Lucie, because he has a lot to work on. He is going to need to cut down the strikeouts, and learn to hit the other way. There has been some doubts about his confidence in the past, but hopefully he puts that behind him because he is 27 years old and the clock is ticking. Soon enough, believe it or not, the Mets will have better options in left field if he fails to produce. Therefore, if he has a bad 2013 season, it is possible that he gets send off somewhere via trade.
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