Is Brandon Nimmo Good?

Brandon Nimmo is a talented baseball player who has been making a name for himself in the league in recent years.

He was ranked as the sixth-best left fielder in Major League Baseball by MLB Network prior to the 2022 season, and he went on to enjoy a career-year that season, setting personal bests in several offensive categories.

But does that make him a good player overall? In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Nimmo’s career performance, his standout 2022 season, and the opinions of experts to try to answer the question: Is Brandon Nimmo good?

Brandon Nimmo’s Career Performance

Nimmo’s Stats Over His Career

Brandon Nimmo has been playing in the Major League Baseball since 2016 when he made his debut with the New York Mets. Over the course of his career, Nimmo has played in 524 games and has accumulated 1,690 plate appearances.

During that time, he has a batting average of .259, an on-base percentage of .391, and a slugging percentage of .430. He has hit 57 home runs, driven in 180 runs, and scored 348 runs.

Any Notable Accomplishments or Awards

Although Brandon Nimmo has not won any major individual awards, he has had some notable accomplishments during his career. For example, in 2018, he led the National League in on-base percentage with .404.

In addition, he has been a reliable player for the New York Mets, starting in over 90% of the games he has played in during each of the last four seasons.

Comparison of Nimmo’s Stats to League Averages or Other Players

Compared to the league averages for left fielders during his career, Nimmo’s batting average and on-base percentage are above average. According to FanGraphs, his weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 126 is also above average, indicating that he has been a productive hitter.

However, his slugging percentage is below the league average, and his defensive metrics are generally considered to be average or slightly below average.

Compared to other left fielders in the league, Nimmo’s stats are generally solid, although he may not be among the elite players at his position.

Brandon Nimmo’s 2022 Season

Summary of Nimmo’s 2022 Performance

In 2022, Brandon Nimmo enjoyed a career-year, setting personal bests in several offensive categories. He played in 152 games and accumulated 647 plate appearances, hitting .301 with a .440 on-base percentage and a .519 slugging percentage.

He hit 30 home runs, drove in 80 runs, and scored 113 runs. He also stole 13 bases and walked 127 times, which led the National League.

2022 Stats to Previous Seasons

Nimmo’s 2022 stats are a significant improvement over his previous seasons. His batting average is 44 points higher than his previous career-high, his on-base percentage is 46 points higher, and his slugging percentage is 75 points higher.

He hit 13 more home runs than his previous best season and drove in 28 more runs. He also stole more bases and walked more times than he ever had before.

Any Improvements or Declines in Specific Areas

One area where Nimmo saw a decline in 2022 was in his defensive metrics. His defensive runs saved (DRS) dropped from 4 in 2021 to -4 in 2022, and his ultimate zone rating (UZR) dropped from 2.8 in 2021 to -4.4 in 2022.

However, his offensive improvements more than made up for any decline in his defense. Nimmo’s 2022 performance was fueled by a significant increase in his power numbers, as he hit more home runs and had a higher slugging percentage than in any previous season.

He also showed exceptional plate discipline, walking at a very high rate and making consistent contact with the ball. Overall, Nimmo’s 2022 season was a standout performance that suggests he has the potential to be a very productive player in the league.

Opinions on Brandon Nimmo’s Skill Level

Mlb Network’s Ranking of Nimmo Prior to 2022 Season

MLB Network ranked Brandon Nimmo as the sixth-best left fielder in Major League Baseball prior to the 2022 season. This ranking reflects a high level of respect for Nimmo’s abilities, especially considering that he had never been ranked in the top ten at his position before.

Summary of Other Experts’ Opinions or Rankings of Nimmo

Other experts have generally been positive about Brandon Nimmo’s skill level. FanGraphs, for example, currently ranks him as the 23rd-best left fielder in the league, which is still a solid ranking given the number of players at the position.

Baseball Reference’s Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metric has also been favorable to Nimmo, ranking him as the 34th-most valuable position player in the league during the 2022 season.

What Factors Might Influence These Opinions or Rankings

There are several factors that might influence experts’ opinions or rankings of Brandon Nimmo. One key factor is his strong on-base skills, which are highly valued in today’s game.

Nimmo has consistently been one of the best players in the league at drawing walks and getting on base, which can make him a valuable leadoff hitter or a potent offensive threat in the lineup.

Another factor is his defensive abilities, which are generally considered to be average or slightly below average. While Nimmo is not a standout defender, he is also not a liability in the field, which can help to increase his overall value to his team.

Finally, experts may also consider Nimmo’s injury history and his age (he will turn 30 in March 2024) when evaluating his overall skill level and potential for future success.

Brandon Nimmo’s Offensive Statistics Comparison (2021 Vs. 2022)

FAQs

What is Brandon Nimmo’s batting average in his career?

Brandon Nimmo has a career batting average of .268, as of the end of the 2022 season.

How does Brandon Nimmo compare to other left fielders in the league?

Nimmo is generally regarded as a solid left fielder in the league, with rankings ranging from the top ten to the top 25 at his position.

What are some of Brandon Nimmo’s notable accomplishments or awards?

Nimmo has not yet won any major awards, but he has been named to the National League All-Star team once (in 2021) and he won the National League Player of the Week award in May 2022.

What are some of the factors that contribute to Brandon Nimmo’s high on-base percentage?

Nimmo’s ability to draw walks and make contact with the ball are key factors that contribute to his high on-base percentage. He is also a patient hitter who is willing to work deep into counts and wait for pitches that he can hit.

How has Brandon Nimmo’s injury history affected his performance?

Nimmo has missed time due to injuries during his career, including a neck injury that sidelined him for much of the 2021 season. However, he has been generally healthy during the rest of his career and has been able to put up solid numbers when he has been on the field.

Conclusion

Brandon Nimmo’s career performance and 2022 season suggest that he is a skilled and productive player in Major League Baseball. He has consistently shown exceptional plate discipline and the ability to get on base, and his 2022 season saw a significant increase in his power numbers.

While his defensive metrics may have declined slightly in 2022, his offensive improvements more than made up for it.

Experts have generally been positive about Nimmo’s skill level, with rankings ranging from the top ten at his position to being one of the most valuable position players in the league. Overall, Brandon Nimmo appears to be a solid player who can contribute both at the plate and in the field.