5 players to watch in 51s’ series with Fresno

Here are five players to watch with the 51s headed to Fresno this weekend:

A.J. Reed

Reed, a first baseman, is the highest-ranked prospect on either team, starting the year as the No. 11 prospect, per Baseball America.

As of Thursday morning, the big first baseman was still looking for his first home run of the season after finishing last season with 34 between two levels.

This is his first season at Triple-A after tearing through A+ and Double-A last season, hitting a combined .340/.432/.612 with 178 hits in 135 games.

51s rotation

Though not a specific person, keep an eye out for the 51s rotation.

Through the first turn of the rotation, only two starters went five innings and one — Rafael Montero — isn’t even currently with the team, called up by the Mets earlier this week.

The 51s will use at least one stop starter in the series and will need their starters to go deeper into games to help protect an exhausted bullpen.

Dilson Herrera

The 51s second baseman, who has been dealing with a sore shoulder, started the first two games of the season at designated hitter but was reduced to a pinch hitter against Sacramento with no option for a DH.

Against Fresno, an American League affiliate, Herrera should once more be at the top of the 51s lineup at DH.

And later in the series, Herrera might be able to play the field again. He started a throwing program this week and manager Wally Backman said he is expected to take a full infield in Fresno.

Matt Duffy

Duffy, a third baseman, broke camp with the Astros but was quickly optioned back to Triple-A this week after Evan Gattis returned from the disabled list.

Duffy, not to be confused with the Giants’ Matt Duffy, was named the PCL’s player of the year last season after hitting .294/.366/.484 in 127 games.

Duffy had 144 hits, 104 RBIs and 20 home runs last year during his time with Fresno.

Eric Campbell

Campbell started the year with the Mets but was sent down to make room for Montero.

Campbell has been with the 51s for parts of the last five seasons, most recently hitting .363/.493/.593 in 33 games in Triple-A last year.

Backman said Campbell figures to see regular time and that he can play all over the place.

“He can play first, he can play third. I’ve played him at second before. Left and right,” Backman said. “He’ll get pretty much regular playing time.”