Here are 5 Las Vegas 51s’ players to watch this season

By BETSY HLEFAND LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

8 years ago

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Sewald (79), a Las Vegas native, delivers to the plate during the first of a two-game spring training rematch of the 2015 National League Championship series, Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Las Vegas 51s shortstop Matt Reynolds flies out in the third inning of their minor league baseball game against the Fresno Grizzlies at Cashman Field in Las Vegas Monday April 20, 2015.(Josh Holmberg/Las Vegas Review Journal)

New York Mets shortstop Gavin Cecchini handles a grounder hit by St. Louis Cardinals’ Brandon Moss during the sixth inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Brandon Nimmo (7) talks with reporters during media day for the Las Vegas 51s at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. The event was held ahead of opening Thursday’s season opener against the Fresno Grizzlies. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @DanJClarkPhoto

Rafael Montero (50) rolls up his sleeve during media day for the Las Vegas 51s at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. The event was held ahead of opening Thursdayճ season opener against the Fresno Grizzlies. Daniel Clark/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @DanJClarkPhoto

With the 51s starting their season on Thursday against Fresno, here are five players to watch:

Paul Sewald

Along with reliever Chasen Bradford, Paul Sewald is one of two local players on the roster.

And Sewald, in his first year in Triple-A, will start the season as the team’s closer.

Sewald was 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA in and 24 saves in 51.1 innings pitched last season at Double-A Binghamton and the Bishop Gorman graduate is quickly rising through the Mets’ system.

“This kid wasn’t a real high pick, but he’s really moved up the ladder real fast,” maanger Wally Backman said. “Probably not as fast as he wants but I don’t think it’s going to shock me if this kid ends up in the big leagues before long. And I don’t think it would even shock him because his blood’s pretty cold.”

Matt Reynolds

If the Mets need to call up an infielder, Matt Reynolds is likely the first to go.

While Backman said he still thinks Reynolds is capable of being an everyday shortstop, the 51s will use him all around the infield and in the outfield to increase his versatility.

Expect to see Reynolds at second, short, third and in left field at some point.

“We’re letting Matty be a little more versatile because really I think at the major league level, if everybody stays healthy, that’s the type of player they’re going to need,” Backman said.

Backman said it increases his value because scouts have already seen him at short.

“I think that’s what they’re looking at in the in the versatility for Matt because injuries happen so if this happens, we have a guy that we know can go defend up there right now,” Backman said.

Gavin Cecchini

The reason the 51s are moving Reynolds away from shortstop is to make way for Gavin Cecchini.

Cecchini, the 12th overall pick in the 2012, is the highest prospect to debut at Triple-A Las Vegas this season, coming in at fourth in Baseball America’s latest list.

The shortstop hit .317/.377/.442 at Double-A Binghamton last season with 139 hits in 109 games and will likely hit near the top of the order.

In his second big league camp, Cecchini spent time picking the minds of guys like David Wright and Curtis Granderson about their approaches.

“The way that they have their routines and they go about their business, it was eye opening. It helps me and any player that is trying to be at that level.”

Brandon Nimmo

The other first round pick of the bunch, Brandon Nimmo also begins the season in Las Vegas after playing 32 games with the 51s last season.

Nimmo, a center fielder and the fifth-ranked prospect in the system, was hampered by a partially torn tendon in his foot this offseason and had his spring training cut short.

“Hitting, fielding, first-step quickness, running strength, it all needs to be improved and it’ll continue to need to be improved even until I get to the big leagues and even after,” Nimmo said.

Nimmo tweaked his swing last year and said it didn’t translate the way he wanted it to, so he spent time simplifying it this offseason.

Last year Nimmo hit five home runs at two levels, but Backman said this year he’d like to see a little bit more power.

“I think that power is going to be a piece of his game at some point in time,” Backman said. “I’m not saying that he’s going to be a big power guy, but I think that he’s definitely capable of hitting 15-20 home runs. He hasn’t showed us that yet in the organization but I know the strength is there and the power is there. Power’s the last thing that comes.”

Rafael Montero

Rafael Montero, another player working his way back from injury, will start for the 51s on opening day.

Once a highly-touted prospect, the starter struggled with shoulder soreness that knocked him out for nearly all of last season.

But Backman said Montero’s velocity climbed back up to 93-94 from around 89-91 in spring training with a change in his hand positioning.

“I think that Rafael Montero that we all had big, high hopes for, I think he’s back,” Backman said.

Now, pitching coach Frank Viola said Montero needs to get more comfortable throwing his slider to add to a strong fastball and changeup.

“He’s got to be able to show a better slider. … as a third pitch to get hitters off the other pitches, especially (the) second and third time through the lineup,” Viola said.

Betsy Helfand can be reached at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @BetsyHelfand