Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
As 2021 comes to a close, let’s count down the top defensive plays the Mets during the season.
5. James McCann Plays First Base
This was literally the first ground ball James McCann had ever fielded at first base in his 12-year professional career. pic.twitter.com/O3Xbxz130a
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 24, 2021
It was a weird Mets season, and McCann playing some first base and immediately making a great play made it even weirder.
4. Johneshwy Fargas’ Snowcone
Go out and GET IT, Johneshwy Fargas!! ✋
How did he hold onto this?! 😱
(via @SNYtv) pic.twitter.com/iooVmGK7Je
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 22, 2021
And don’t forget about this play from Dominic Smith in the inning prior.
This #Mets game was sooo freakin' fun to watch. Such an incredible play from Dom Smith and that fist pump from Johneshwy Fargas is just as good as the catch. #LGM (via Mets) pic.twitter.com/3cdslHp6XP
— Matt Musico (@mmusico8) December 16, 2021
Fargas wasn’t with the Mets for very long, but he made a couple of highlight catches and showed off his plus speed on the bases as well.
3. Brandon Nimmo’s Home Run Robbery
🚨 BRANDON NIMMO HOME RUN ROBBERY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/zVvCaMQxqZ
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 10, 2021
One of the big bright spots from the 2021 Mets season was the improved defense of Nimmo in center field.
2. Francisco Lindor’s Unassisted Double Play
FRANCISCO LINDOR DIVES TO THE BAG FOR THE UNASSISTED DOUBLE PLAY! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0ReVTUV72b
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 28, 2021
Lindor had a ton of plays in 2021 that he made look so easy because of his defensive skills. The Gold Glove Award finalist led all NL players with 20 outs above average in his first season with the Mets.
Honorable Mentions
Albert Almora Jr.’s Dive In Syracuse
Look at this catch by Albert Almora Jr. for the Syracuse Mets.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 28, 2021
Think it’s obvious to say this would be the defensive play of the year if it was done in the majors.
Javier Baez’s Busy Day
Two pretty excellent plays from Javier Báez today, to go along with his three hits in five at-bats.
The first: a slick tag on a caught stealing in Game 1. The second: a sliding stop to rob Lewis Brinson of a hit in Game 2. pic.twitter.com/pJNxQi2St5
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 29, 2021
It was a treat to be able to watch Báez in his short time with the Mets.
Khalil Lee Shines in Atlanta
KHALIL LEE. THATS THE TWEET pic.twitter.com/q16BYQkGLy
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) May 20, 2021
Lee had a tough time with the bat in his short time with the Mets (though he had .941 OPS in Triple-A), but he still made a couple of great catches including two in this game against the Braves.
1. Marcus Stroman Tags Out Juan Soto
Crazy play by Javier Báez and Marcus Stroman to catch Juan Soto trying to take an unoccupied base. (Stroman is checked out afterward by trainers, but he appears fine.) pic.twitter.com/qKIFW3IE7a
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 4, 2021
The combination of skills from El Mago and Stroman in this play is special. As Keith Hernandez noted in the booth, something that really hasn’t been done before in the big leagues.
