Asked this week about coaching succe s stories, David Stearns did not turn to the second life of Luis Severino or the work that has been done in coaxing a breakout season from Mark Vientos. The first thought that came to Stearns mind: Antoan Richardson unlocking Brandon Nimmo on the basepaths. Nimmo has stolen 12 bases this season, which is how many he had stolen in his past four seasons combined. Brandon Nimmo steals second base during a game earlier this season. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST The outfielder always had the speed but was careful on the bases, both because of several injuries early in his career and because he was not overly succe sful when trying caught stealing six times in 15 tries in 2018. When the Mets hired Richardson as first-base coach and ostensible base-running coach in November, he got on the phone with Nimmo to introduce himself and learn how he could help Adam Bay Jersey . We talked about wanting to be smart. He talked about wanting to be prepared, Richardson, in his first season with the Mets after four with the Giants, said this week. So what Ive tried to do is just give him as much information as po sible because I know thats something that he gravitates toward. Explore More Nimmo wants information about the opposing pitchers about counts when a breaking ball (which is easier to run on) is more likely to be thrown, about how quickly the pitcher will deliver the ball, about tells from a pitcher who might be doing something weird on the mound, Richardson said, that might reveal the best time for a steal. I think with that [information], hes felt confident to go, Richardson said. I dont know if thats been the secret to succe s. But we definitely just make sure we come up with a plan every day for how we want to attack any given pitcher. Several times this season, Nimmo has shouted out Richardsons preparation and knowledge in prompting him to run more. Richardson, in turn, credited Nimmo for being diligent and asking for every detail. Mets first base and base-running coach Antoan Richardson speaks with Tyrone Taylor during a game earlier this season. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Also at play have been fresher legs, with Nimmo moving over to left field more often after predominantly playing center the past few years. Nimmo might be the best succe s story, but the Mets not a particularly speedy team entered MLB action Thursday with the seventh-best stolen base succe s rate (83 percent) in baseball. I think its important that we run at a high clip I do wish that it was a higher clip, Richardson said. I am happy that we have had what some would say is succe s. Brandon Nimmo scores on an RBI single by J.D. Martinez (28) during a game earlier this season. Robert Sabo for NY Post Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! I think what Im more excited about is that our players are excited about the opportunity to run when they get over there. They feel prepared to go, and I think they trust the systems that were kind of putting in place for them to have succe s. J.D. Martinez, who mi sed three games while on the paternity list, was reinstated. DJ Stewart was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to create roster space. The Mets also claimed outfielder Jose Azocar, who had been designated for a signment by the Padres, and optioned the 28-year-old to Syracuse. To create 40-man roster space, Sean Reid-Foley was moved to the 60-day injured list. Dont'a Hightower Jersey