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07:55 AM ET 01.10 | Spring training is just around the corner -- and, with it, perhaps the MLB debut of Mets catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud. The confident -- but not boastful -- d'Arnaud plans on winning a job with the Mets in spring training. "I believe in myself, that's pretty much it," d'Arnaud told me in his no-nonsense way after his impressive batting practice at his alma mater, Lakewood High School. "I can't wait. I am going to play as hard as I can every day, do everything I can to help the team win. Hopefully, I can make it." His father, Lance, echoed those sentiments: "Travis will be at spring training to fight to leave on that plane with the major league club." Believe me, after spending time with d'Arnaud and those close to him, this kid is a keeper in every way.

Sandy Alderson, Getty Images

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January 10, 2013 08:59 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:47 AM ET 01.10 by /

I must have seen this guy play in Manch in '11, funny that I don't remember him.Given that he'll be 24 this season and hasn't sniffed the majors yet, I'd guess he's not going to be a big star. His numbers in Las Vegas last season are gaudy, but that's a hitter's park and league and a bunch of guys on the team hit over .300 with power and good OBPs. He also put up good numbers for the Fisher Cats and that's a tougher place to hit, so maybe I'm not giving him his full due.Looks like he could be a good, productive hitter, let's see if he has the defensive tools to stick at C.

It's seems a rare opportunity to see a catcher become a full timer in the majors under the age of 24. Johnny Bench was one of those rare exceptions.

THE BISHOP!

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January 10, 2013 09:18 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:12 AM ET 01.10 by /

IRod was a half-timer at 19 and full time at 20...Yogi didn't get started until he was 21 because he was in the Army. Even a spaghetti bat like Jim Sundberg was a regular at 23, although that was a guy who was born to squat behind the plate.

I should have added 'nowadays' to my comment.

THE BISHOP!

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January 10, 2013 09:29 AM ET

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Excuse me but there's no competition for a fathers position on The Mets! He better make the team, he cost them a Cy Young Winner!

Not4Nutten

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January 10, 2013 09:31 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:29 AM ET 01.10 by Not4Nutten

Excuse me but there's no competition for a catchers position on The Mets! He better make the team, he cost them a Cy Young Winner!

Catchers Position

Not4Nutten

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Comment #7 has been removed

January 10, 2013 09:43 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:47 AM ET 01.10 by /

I must have seen this guy play in Manch in '11, funny that I don't remember him.Given that he'll be 24 this season and hasn't sniffed the majors yet, I'd guess he's not going to be a big star. His numbers in Las Vegas last season are gaudy, but that's a hitter's park and league and a bunch of guys on the team hit over .300 with power and good OBPs. He also put up good numbers for the Fisher Cats and that's a tougher place to hit, so maybe I'm not giving him his full due.Looks like he could be a good, productive hitter, let's see if he has the defensive tools to stick at C.

If he can handle the pitchers and play defense, he doesn't need to be a big offensive threat.

The Moose

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January 10, 2013 03:03 PM ET

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D'arnaud has to win himself a catching position IF he really serious about staying in the majors,,,

alacran

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January 10, 2013 03:04 PM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET 01.10 by The Moose

If he can handle the pitchers and play defense, he doesn't need to be a big offensive threat.

right,,,

alacran

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January 10, 2013 04:50 PM ET

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I have seen him play A ball here while he was in the Toronto farm sysytem. He was a stud hitter spraying hard hits all over the park and caught/called more than 80% of the eastern league champs games in 2010 and 2011...

TheVinman

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January 10, 2013 08:24 PM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 04:50 PM ET 01.10 by TheVinman

I have seen him play A ball here while he was in the Toronto farm sysytem. He was a stud hitter spraying hard hits all over the park and caught/called more than 80% of the eastern league champs games in 2010 and 2011...

fair enough,,

alacran

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January 10, 2013 09:46 PM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:53 AM ET 01.10 by /

A guy who can handle the C position and hit at all is a very valuable guy, no question.

Most important guy on the field...Cardinals were brilliant to let Pujols go, but keep Molina.

...the best policy

Harrodsburg, KY

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January 11, 2013 09:47 AM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 09:46 PM ET 01.10 by ...the best policy

Most important guy on the field...Cardinals were brilliant to let Pujols go, but keep Molina.

Correct on the cardinals move.. would still say starting pitching is more important but C does effect it

joet

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January 11, 2013 09:52 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET 01.10 by /

Buster had a cup of coffee at 22 and was more or less a regular at 23, but that's some pretty stiff competition (like Bench, IRod, and Yogi).

Bench, Yogi - 2 of the greatest of all time - yes giving up Dickey for one year was a real cost but expecting to get a stud 20 yr old pitcher and have this kid be like one of those guys is too much to ask. If this kid is a solid 5 hitter for 5-7 years and the pitcher is a solid 3-4 pitcher the Mets got more than enough as compensation