Early in spring training, there was some thought J.D. Davis could begin the year at Triple-A Syracuse. Now, it’s hard to envision the Mets without him.
The converted outfielder was finally given a chance by the Mets after five years in the Astros’ minor league system, and he’s continuing to make the most of it. On Wednesday, he sent them to their fourth straight win with his first career walk-off hit in a dramatic 4-3, 10-inning, come-from-behind win over the Indians.
“I’m grateful for Brodie to bring me over here and just giving me the opportunity,” he said of Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. “I knew if I got more at-bats, more playing time, a little more exposure, I would get used to big-league pitching and it goes from there.”
After his rocket line drive caromed off the wall on a hop and scored Michael Conforto, Davis was playfully attacked by teammates. His jersey was ripped by Pete Alonso and Amed Rosario, a new tradition for the Mets after walk-off victories.
“Hey Mets fans, we did it again,” he yelled to the exuberant fans in his on-field interview.
“I’ll probably keep that one,” Davis added, referring to the ripped jersey. “It’s my first walk-off. It’s pretty special to me.”
The second half has been special to him, too. Entering the night, he was leading the National League in batting average at .370 since the All-Star break and was second with a .439 on-base percentage. He’s even better at home, reaching safely in his past 21 starts in Queens and overall is hitting .382 at Citi Field this year with 23 RBIs in 49 games.
His last one was the most impressive. Against Indians closer Brad Hand, he fell behind in the count 0-2. But as has become a habit, he worked his way back into the count, running it full. He fouled off three pitches at 3-2, before he got something he could handle, and laced the full-count slider for the game-winning hit.
“He’s prepared, that’s the bottom line. Any other hitter that’s probably not as prepared was going to be thinking this guy is going to throw me a fastball at some point,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “I’m sure J.D. did his homework and said, ‘You know what, this guy is going to live and die with his slider because it’s his best pitch. So, once he gets one out and over the plate doesn’t get one in, I’m going to hammer it,’ and he did.”
