Brandon Nimmo has been a key player for the New York Mets for several years, and yet, despite his consistent production, there remains a persistent narrative among some fans and analysts that he is “injury-prone” or “always missing games.” However, when you take a closer look at the numbers and his overall career trajectory, this claim doesn’t hold up as well as some might think.
Early Career and Injuries
Nimmo was drafted by the Mets in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, a high-upside pick out of Wyoming, a state without high school baseball. Because of this, his development took time, and he didn’t make his MLB debut until 2016. In his first few years, he was often seen as a fourth outfielder, not because of a lack of talent, but because the Mets had a crowded outfield and he was still refining his approach.
However, once he started getting regular playing time, Nimmo quickly proved he belonged. The biggest concern early on was his health—specifically, a series of injuries that limited his ability to play a full season. In 2019, he played just 69 games due to a neck injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. In 2021, a hamstring injury and a small ligament tear in his finger caused him to miss time as well. These injuries, combined with occasional smaller ailments, led to the perception that he was always hurt.
Durability in Recent Seasons
While it’s true that Nimmo had injury concerns earlier in his career, recent years have shown a very different trend. Since 2022, he has been one of the Mets’ most reliable and consistent players, proving that he can handle a full season.
- 2022 Season: Nimmo played 151 games, the most in his career at the time. This was a clear indication that he had moved past the durability concerns that plagued his early years. Not only did he play almost every day, but he also maintained a high level of performance, finishing with a .274 batting average, a .367 on-base percentage, and a career-best 159 hits.
- 2023 Season: He followed up with another strong year, playing in 152 games. Again, this directly contradicts the idea that he “always misses games.” If a player is appearing in over 150 games in back-to-back seasons, it’s hard to label them as injury-prone.
This level of durability is something that Mets fans should celebrate. Playing 150+ games in consecutive years proves that he has made adjustments to his conditioning, training, and overall approach to staying healthy.
Comparing Nimmo to Other MLB Players
If you look around the league, plenty of star players miss significant time due to injuries. Even some of the game’s best, like Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, and Fernando Tatís Jr., have had seasons where they missed 50 or more games. Yet, their talent and impact overshadow those absences.
Nimmo’s recent durability puts him in the upper tier of reliable players. If you compare him to some other center fielders, he has played in more games over the past two seasons than many of his peers. For example:
- Mike Trout has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons and hasn’t played more than 140 games in a season since 2016.
- Byron Buxton, another extremely talented center fielder, has never played more than 100 games in a season due to persistent injuries.
- Luis Robert Jr., one of the most exciting young outfielders, missed significant time in 2021 and 2022.
Compared to these players, Nimmo has been remarkably durable.
The Mets’ Confidence in Nimmo
If the Mets truly believed that Nimmo was an injury risk, they wouldn’t have committed to him long-term. In December 2022, the Mets signed him to an eight-year, $162 million contract extension, signaling their belief in both his ability and his durability.
Teams don’t hand out contracts of that magnitude to players they expect to be sidelined for large portions of the season. The Mets’ front office clearly evaluated his medical history, his training regimen, and his recent track record before making that commitment. Their decision shows that they believe Nimmo is not an injury liability.
Beyond Durability: Nimmo’s Value to the Mets
Even beyond the durability argument, it’s important to acknowledge what Nimmo brings to the team. He has transformed into one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball, providing:
- Elite on-base skills – Throughout his career, he has maintained a high on-base percentage (.384 career OBP as of 2023), making him a perfect table-setter at the top of the lineup.
- Improved defense – Initially seen as a bat-first player, he has worked hard to become a solid defender in center field, even making highlight-reel catches.
- Gap-to-gap power – While he may not be a 40-homer slugger, he has developed enough power to hit 20+ home runs and rack up extra-base hits.
The Final Verdict
The idea that Brandon Nimmo is “always injured” or “injury-prone” is outdated. Yes, he had some issues earlier in his career, but he has proven over the past few seasons that he can stay on the field and be a key contributor. Playing over 150 games in back-to-back years should put to rest any lingering doubts about his durability.
Mets fans should embrace the fact that they have one of the best and most reliable outfielders in the game. Instead of clinging to an outdated perception, it’s time to recognize Nimmo as a durable, elite leadoff hitter who has become a cornerstone of the team’s success.
