Apple of the Mets' eye: Clifford homers in first at-bat with new club
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You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Consider the Mets impressed.
Two days after he was traded in the deal that sent Justin Verlander back to Houston, Ryan Clifford introduced himself to his new organization, teammates and a rabid fan base the best way he knew how: with a homer.
The newest Met and No. 6 prospect yanked a first-inning two-run jack and was on base four times to help lift High-A Brooklyn past Jersey Shore, 6-3, on Thursday night at ShoreTown Ballpark. Clifford also singled, walked twice and scored two runs to put a capper on what had been a whirlwind 48 hours for the slugger.
"Yeah, just a little bit hectic," Clifford said with a laugh. "I wasn't really planning on being traded, so when it happened I had to go back to Asheville, pack up and head up [to New Jersey]. It was nice to get back on the field and hopefully I can settle in a bit.
"It's all about finding that groove and riding the highs as long as you can without letting it get to you. I just go out there and try to stay even-keeled and do what I know I can do."
The 20-year-old looked perfectly comfortable in his first at-bat as a Cyclone, and following a double from No. 7 Mets prospect Alex Ramírez, he proved it. Clifford worked the count full and then sent a laser over the right-field fence for his 17th South Atlantic League homer and 19th overall.
The roundtripper extended Clifford's hitting streak to 11 games, during which he's gone 16-for-42 (.381) with eight extra-base hits, six long balls and 14 RBIs.
"Obviously had a pretty good result tonight," he said. "But it's also the same game that I'm playing. I look at it as a new opportunity and a new chance to take things to the next level."
Clifford's big night was noteworthy in its timing, but it was not a surprise. Selected in the 11th round of the 2022 Draft, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder was a sleeper of sorts. A mediocre showcase last year and a committment to Vanderbilt allowed Houston to nab Clifford with the 343rd overall pick.
After a 25-game debut in 2022, the 1B/OF began this season with Single-A Fayetteville, which proved no match. Clifford was promoted to High-A Asheville on May 9, where he began his Tourists' career 0-for-15 in his first five games. He homered and singled in game No. 6 and hasn't looked back since.
"Just relaxing and enjoying the game," said Clifford, who is batting .294 with a .935 OPS, 35 extra-base hits and 63 RBIs. "I'm not going to put any extra pressure on myself. If you don't have fun playing, you're not doing this for the right reasons. I'm enjoying the whole process."
Part of that process was a trade that seemed to come together quickly, stunning the North Carolina native, who had settled in nicely as one of the real up-and-comers in the Houston organization.
"It was a little weird," Clifford admitted. "I kept hearing about Verlander and I had a feeling he was going back [to the Astros], so when reports started coming out, I knew it was a possibility. It's strange to be in that moment with guys you've become connected to and then all of sudden realize you won't be around them anymore."
So how does a kid from North Carolina feel about the possibility of playing in New York City?
"I'm excited to be here," Clifford said. "A lot of great players have come through New York. I know it can be a challenging environment, but that is all part of being a professional. I loved my time with Houston and I'm looking forward to the next chapter with New York."