What I’m seeing at Mets camp: Clubhouse dynamics and small practice notes – The Athletic

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — “Caramel macchiato!” That’s how Freddy Peralta punctuated an early-morning clubhouse basketball game — it seemed roughly like a one-on-one version of “21,” if you care — against reliever Luis García. The loser, Peralta explained later, has to buy the winner coffee. That mini basketball hoop in the Clover Park clubhouse, hung above the corridor just next to Francisco Lindor’s locker, has gotten more use this year than last. Peralta has been working on his shooting form as much as anyone, competing against García, against Francisco Alvarez, against anyone who wants to play. That game mentioned above against García? It came the morning of Peralta’s second Grapefruit League start. Most starters, even ones as amiable as Peralta is 80 percent of the time, become different people on their start days, spring included. Their focus is narrower, ears closed off to any extraneous noise. But Peralta? “I just be myself every day,” he said that day, “if I’m pitching or not pitching.” Peralta’s energy has been a refreshing addition to the Mets’ clubhouse. When asked about his new Opening Day starter this spring, manager Carlos Mendoza has always talked about Peralta the person before Peralta the pitcher.
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