51s’ Monell knows his time will come

Growing up in the Bronx, catcher Johnny Monell would always tell his family that he would someday play professional baseball in New York, whether it be at Shea or Yankee Stadium.

The 29-year-old, who’s in his first year with the Las Vegas 51s, had no way of knowing his moment would come as a member of the hometown Mets.

“There were times when I’d drive over the Throgs Neck Bridge and tell my mom, ‘Hey, I’m going to play there one day,’ ” said Monell, who made his first career start at Citi Field on May 15 against the Brewers. “I’d tell my family members I was going to play there, too. Even Yankee Stadium.

“Being from the Bronx, it’s just like, ‘Wow.’ It made it real. It goes to show how strong the mind is and how someone can put something together and accomplish what they want to accomplish.”

Monell, who made his major-league debut in 2013 with the San Francisco Giants, has appeared in 12 big-league games this season for the Mets — mostly as a pinch hitter — but hasn’t quite found a permanent roster spot behind younger catchers Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki.

The 51s, though, don’t mind having the nine-year veteran in Triple-A.

In addition to leading the team with a .373 batting average, Monell has provided key veteran leadership to a young clubhouse that has featured two of the organization’s top arms in Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz. He’s turned into somewhat of a mentor, while becoming one of the team’s most reliable players.

“He plays hard and does the things the right way,” 51s manager Wally Backman said. “Given the right amount of playing time, Johnny can swing the bat. He’s a potent left-handed hitter coming off the bench at the major-league level. I don’t know if he’s a front-line guy at age 29. But I think if he was given an opportunity, he might surprise people. There’s not that many catchers in the big leagues today that can swing the bat like that kid can. … He’s in a spot here, where if something happens, he can go up to be the backup guy.”

Before being called up on May 5, Monell sparked the 51s’ franchise-record 14-game winning streak by hitting safely in 11 consecutive games. But after going 1-for-16 with two RBIs in 12 games with the Mets, he was optioned back to Las Vegas.

Since returning on May 25, he has continued to pound the ball and has hit safely in nine of the last 13 games, including a 1-for-2 effort in the 51s’ 15-8 loss to El Paso on Sunday in the second game of a four-game series at Cashman Field.

The third game of the series starts at 7:05 p.m. today, with 51s right-hander Logan Verrett (1-0, 2.04 ERA) taking on El Paso righty James Needy (5-3, 7.33 ERA).

Monell, who played in the Orioles and Dodgers organizations last season, is looking to settle down with the Mets, his fourth team in nine seasons.

But rather than focus on the things he can’t control, like a call-up, Monell says he plans on sticking to the process and helping the 51s capture a third consecutive Pacific Southern Division championship.

“If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. If you are, it’s up to the organization to give you that opportunity to make the jump,” he said. “I just have to take advantage of my opportunities that they give me. And try to land myself on an active roster for the whole entire season, or a starting gig. I know I’m ready. It’s just a matter of someone trusting that in me.”

Second baseman Dilson Herrera (fractured finger) and d’Arnaud (hand fracture) are each scheduled to begin their rehab stints today for Las Vegas, which holds a 2½ game lead over El Paso for first place.

■ NOTES — Wil Myers was 2-for-5 with two strikeouts and a run in seven innings in his first rehab game for El Paso, and teammate Jake Goebbert went 4-for-6 with two home runs and four RBIs for the Chihuahuas, who finished with 22 hits Sunday … The 51s are 1-11 in their last 12 games. … Matz (6-4, 1.94 ERA), the No. 2 prospect in the Mets’ organization, is scheduled to start on Thursday for the 51s on Dollar Beer Night.

Contact reporter Ashton Ferguson at aferguson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430. Follow him on Twitter: @af_ferguson.