Mets First Half Report Card: Infielders

After coming into the 2021 season with high expectations, the New York Mets’ infield hasn’t quite lived up to the hype 87 games into the season.

Injuries have been a major reason for the up-and-down first half, as just one player from the Mets’ Opening Day infield has avoided an IL stint to this point. However, players underperforming has also proved costly for the infield thus far.

Here’s a closer look at the Mets infield from the 2021 first half.

The $341 Million Man

When the Mets traded for Francisco Lindor this past offseason, the team and fans were thrilled to get a perennial all-star who’s one of the best shortstops in the game. Expectations grew larger when the Mets signed Lindor, 27, to a 10-year, $341 million contract just before the season started.

It’s safe to say many were shocked when Lindor came out of the gates struggling mightily. Lindor’s .189/.299/.243 April slashline was certainly one to forget. While he still currently sits at an underwhelming .227/.326/.377 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs, Lindor showed major signs of improvement as the first half went on.

The shortstop had an OPS of .765 in the month of June, a huge contrast to his .636 mark in May. Additionally, he was getting hot right before the all-star break with a .333/.500/.515 line in July. That’s not even mentioning his elite defense throughout the entirety of the first half of the season.

Overall, Lindor’s been worth 2.1 bWAR through the first 87 games, and he’s raised his OPS+ to 97 (league average is 100). He of course hasn’t been good enough so far, but considering just how bad he started off, his improved numbers in June and July provide plenty of optimism moving forward.

The Polar Bear

It was a solid first half for the 2021 Home Run Derby Champion, Pete Alonso. Besides a short stint on the IL with a hand injury, Alonso was able to stay healthy, which is a win itself.

Alonso currently sits at .250/.328/.478 with 17 home runs, 49 RBIs and a 123 OPS+. He’s been by far New York’s top run producer and has been a much-needed piece in a lineup that was destroyed by injuries.

While his numbers are by no means “underwhelming,” there’s still a feeling that Alonso should be better moving forward. He has yet to match the production from his rookie season in 2019 when he smacked 53 home runs with a .941 OPS.

Alonso’s performance at Citi Field this season is a major reason why he hasn’t been able to remain consistent through the first 87 games. While the big slugger owns a .275/.333/.588 line on the road, he’s been able to muster a disappointing .218/.321/336 at Citi Field. He’s hit only three, yes three, home runs at home this season, opposed to 14 on the road.

Of note, Alonso has improved his defense, he’s at two defensive runs saved and two outs above average this year at first base.

If Alonso can improve his home performance moving forward, he could be in for a monster second half of the season.

The Injured Crew

Jeff McNeil missed quite a bit of time with a hamstring injury he suffered in a game against the Rays. Appearing in 53 games before the all-star break, McNeil hasn’t been the same hitter he’s been in the past.

The second baseman is batting just .258/.346/.344, which are all way below his career averages. In fact, McNeil has never had an OPS below .836 thus far in his career. This year it sits at a woeful .690 so far.

Luckily for McNeil and the Mets, it appears he may be starting to turn the corner. Over his last 15 games, he’s batting .318/.400/.341, which is much more like the McNeil Mets fans know and love.

J.D. Davis has been on the IL for the majority of the first half with a hand injury. He’s appeared in only 14 games and has had just 48 plate appearances. However, he’s raked with a 1.089 OPS in his short time on the field, which the Mets hope can carry over when he comes back from the IL this Friday.

Bench Mob

Where would the Mets be without the Bench Mob?

Starting the season as a bench player, Jonathan Villar became a full-time starter and was one of the Mets’ best offensive players during the first half. While he did spend some time on the IL, Villar’s importance to the team’s 47-win first half shouldn’t be overlooked.

He’s slashed .235/.319/.426 with a 107 OPS+, nine home runs, and 18 RBIs in 68 games played. Additionally, he’s tied for the team-lead with eight stolen bases (though he’s been caught four times). For someone who was brought in this offseason to be a bench player, Villar has exceeded expectations and has been one of the leading contributors for a first-place team.

Jose Peraza has been an unsung hero for this Mets team after not even starting the season on the 26-man roster. While his .210/.269/.411 line doesn’t jump off the page, he sure does have the clutch gene.

First off, he has 12 RBIs and a .975 OPS with runners in scoring position. Think that’s impressive? Well, listen to this. With the game late and close, he has a 1.346 OPS with five hits in 13 at-bats. Peraza has come through at just the right time on multiple occasions.

Peraza has also been fantastic defensively at second base. He is second among all second baseman with six outs above average this season.

Luis Guillorme has provided his usual elite defense at both third and second base this year. He’s also been an on-base machine, reaching at a .410 clip in 101 plate appearances.

The Rest

Brandon Drury, Travis Blankenhorn, and Wilfredo Tovar have all spent some time in the Mets’ infield through the first 87 games. The trio combined for 66 at-bats and 11 hits.

Final Grade: C+

Despite multiple players stepping up at various points in the first half, the overall performance of the group has been middle of the road.

Top guns Lindor, McNeil, and to a lesser degree Alonso, didn’t play up to the standard that’s expected from them, which is why the unit can’t receive a grade higher than a C+.

The group has tons of talent, and it shouldn’t be much of a surprise if the unit shows major improvement in the second half of the season.