WASHINGTON -- Eric Campbell spent seven seasons in the minors before his promotion to the Mets at age 27.
He has made the most of a limited chance since replacing Josh Satin as the righty-hitting complement to Lucas Duda and pinch-hit bat for the bench.
Courtesy of New York MetsEric Campbell
Making his second major-league start, Campbell delivered a two-run single in the first inning against left-hander Gio Gonzalez and finished 2-for-4 as the Mets beat the Washington Nationals, 5-2.
Campbell is now hitting .455 (5-for-11) with three RBIs in his big-league career.
“I was feeling good in Vegas, and I just tried to continue that here,” Campbell said. “I’ve always felt pretty good against lefties. And that’s been the majority of my at-bats. So that helps.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve belonged here. But it’s still early, so I’m not going to get too high or too low. I’m just going to go out there and play hard every day.”
Said Terry Collins: “I spent a long time in the minor leagues. I sent a lot of players to the big leagues. When the major-league manager used to call me, you’d tell him the truth.
“And when I would call Triple-A, [Vegas manager] Wally [Backman] would say, ‘This guy is maybe my best player.’ He’s a good offensive player. He can play any position on the field. He gets big hits. He can hit right-handers. And he kills left-handers. And he’s come up here and done it.”
Although he only has been used at first base so far since his May 10 promotion, Campbell suggested he can handle five different positions.
“I’ve played probably equal time at all four corners, and then a little bit of second this year,” Campbell said. “I’m comfortable at all five of them.”
