The New York Mets’ catcher situation is in flux entering the 2025 MLB season. With Francisco Álvarez sidelined for six to eight weeks due to injury, Luis Torrens is projected to be the Opening Day starter.
It remains to be seen who will serve as the backup. One name to watch is Hayden Senger, who has 14 at-bats this spring, hitting .214. The 27-year-old spent the 2024 season playing for three different minor league teams and has an interesting life outside of baseball.
Mets Catcher Hayden Senger’s Story About Working in a Supermarket
Senger has not played in a major league game in his baseball career, but he has played in multipe minor league games throughout his career (402 in the minors, 128 in college, and 87 at other levels).
Anthony DiComo of mlb.com recently wrote about his unusual offseason job in a story titled: “If this catcher makes Mets … will he give up job at Whole Foods?”
With Álvarez injured, Senger has a chance to crack the Mets’ Opening Day roster. But two offseasons ago, when Glenn Sherlock, the Mets’ catching instructor, called to check in on him, Senger had an unexpected response — he had to call back because he was working.
For the past two years, Senger has spent his winters stocking shelves at Whole Foods in Nashville, Tenn. As a 24th-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft (a round that does not exist anymore in the MLB Draft), he took the job for one simple reason: “I needed the money.”
His manager at Whole Foods, TJ Sanfillipo, praised his work ethic, “He’s definitely one of the best workers I’ve ever had. He comes in, he says ‘Hello,’ and then he just gets to work. I don’t have to say anything. … I’ll see him making a huge dent into grocery just in the six hours he’s there. It’s almost like he works 10 hours per day in the results he shows.”
However, Senger is uncertain whether he will quit his side job if he sees extended action in the majors.
“I’m pretty superstitious,” Senger said. “I told my boss it’s possible I come back if I make it, but I didn’t make any promises. So we’ll have to see about that.”
Senger’s attitude in the supermarket mirrors his approach on the field as he fights for a roster spot. If he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, his next step in baseball remains uncertain. If he does, it’ll be interesting to see whether he officially steps away from his Whole Foods job.
With a decision looming in the next week, Senger’s unique journey adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Mets’ roster battles.
