Looking for Nimmo

Staten Island, NY – Wyoming, a state without high school baseball, hasn’t had success in producing top baseball talent. Brandon Nimmo could change that.

He made his professional debut last year, appearing in ten games between the GCL and Appalachian Leagues. In June, Nimmo truly began life as a New York kid, after being assigned to the Class-A short season Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York Penn League.

“It’s a big culture shock,” said Nimmo at MCU Park, home of the Cyclones.

It’s 36 games into the season and the Cyclones have played outstanding baseball. The team has dominated their division and, largely, the entire league, going 21-15.

For his part Nimmo, 19, has hit .228 with 20 RBI, 2 home runs and 26 walks. Four weeks into the season he had a .500 OBP and a .750 SLG.

“It’s been great, I’m enjoying it. It’s all different, but I’m adjusting to it and getting in a routine.”

He mentions Cyclones catcher Kevin Plawecki as someone he’s particularly close to, but is quick to point out that the team is overall a close-knit group.

“I’m the rookie guy, I haven’t played as much as a few of them. But the nice thing is some of them just got drafted. I’ve been in the system for a year, so I can help them out too. We’re all trying to help each other out.”

This is a league filled with players drafted together, many who played with or against one another, but despite familiarity, there’s still been challenges. Playing professionally and in new surroundings took some getting used to.

But from June to July, Nimmo feels he’s gotten into a comfort zone.

“A lot different. Beginning of the season, [I was] nervous. I was still trying to adjust to the speed of the game. Now I’ve settled in a little bit. Adjusted to the new team and the rhythm of the game. I feel like two different players. A lot more confidence.”

His development is being closely followed by Mets fans, much like Zack Wheeler and, despite the injury woes, still, Reese Havens. But whatever his expectations, he exhibits a mix of patience and ambition when asked about the distant future.

“I expect to be here [in 2013]. I think [starting at higher level] is a good goal to put in my head right now, but we’ll see.”