rewrite this title Mets impressed by Craig Kimbrel’s ‘unreal’ presence

PORT ST. LUCIE — Even as a non-roster invitee to camp, Craig Kimbrel turns heads every time he steps on a mound.
Kimbrel, a possible future Hall of Fame closer, threw an inning of live batting practice Wednesday for the Mets at Clover Park.

The highlight was two plate appearances against Juan Soto, another possible future Hall of Famer. Soto hit an infield grounder and walked.

“[Kimbrel’s] presence, it’s unreal,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We know the sweeper is good, the curveball and he’s also got the cutter now that he’s playing around with. He’s going to get a chance here.”

Kimbrel, 37, pitched to a 2.25 ERA in 14 appearances for the Braves and Astros last season.

The right-hander has amassed 440 saves over his 16-year major league career.

Mendoza was asked what has stood out about Kimbrel early in camp.

“Just the way he carries himself, a humble guy,” Mendoza said. “We’re talking about a guy that is pretty close to a Hall of Fame career.

“He’s out there like he is a rookie, how respectful he is, how open he is to share experiences. It’s been great to have him here.”  

The Mets broke ground on a 55,000-square-foot player development complex adjacent to Clover Park that is scheduled for completion by spring training 2027.

The team’s president of baseball operations, David Stearns, participated in the ceremony.

“The state-of-the-art complex that we’re going to build here will provide our athletes and our coaches with everything they can possibly need,” Stearns said.

“It’s going to cement us as the preeminent development organization in baseball, starting with our brand-new complex in the Dominican, extending here to our home in Florida and stretching through every affiliate that we have throughout the country.”  

The $60 million project is fully funded by the Mets and coincides with a lease extension that includes options that would keep the team in Port St. Lucie until 2052.