The Mets acquired outfielder Jose Siri early this offseason to improve their outfield defense and inject some overall athleticism into their lineup. He embodies last year’s Harrison Bader with even more speed and probably better glove work. His strong spring training performance so far gives the Mets reason to be optimistic about him as a possible primary center fielder this year.

Spring Training Performances

Siri has been among the initial standouts in camp, showcasing the pop he offers at the plate and his obvious prowess in the field. His combination of raw athletic ability and legitimate power has translated into early offensive production. Notably, this includes recent three-run homers in two straight games.

Defensively, Siri has a reputation as one of the premier center fielders in the game. His range and speed have been on full display. He offered a glimpse with a diving catch Saturday against the Rays. With 16 outs above average in 2024 (99th percentile), Siri has consistently ranked among the league’s top defensive outfielders, a trend that should continue in 2025.

As a whole, Siri is 3-for-10 with three homers, seven runs batted in, and a stolen base so far in spring training.

More Than Just Defense

Siri’s track record points to inconsistency. His power output surged from a dismal .126 ISO (.339 SLG, .213 AVG) in 2022 to an impressive .272 ISO (.494 SLG, .222 AVG) in 2023. However, after a strong showing in 2023, his numbers regressed significantly in 2024. Both his batting average and on-base percentage plummeted to career lows.

Despite some struggles offensively, Siri’s power remains one of his most intriguing tools. He launched 25 home runs in 364 plate appearances in 2023, followed by 18 homers in 448 in 2024. His barrel rate was in the 87th percentile of the league in 2023 and the 94th percentile in 2024. His .272 isolated power in 2023 highlighted his raw strength, though that mark dipped to .179 in 2024 as his overall production declined.

Another notable change in Siri’s batted ball profile in 2024 was his ability to stay on plane more frequently. He got under the ball 28.3% of the time in 2023 but only 21.8% in 2024. That change led to his sweet spot percentage (% of batted balls hit at 8-32° launch angles) rising from the 35th percentile of the league to the 70th percentile. While this adjustment helped him make more quality contact, it may have cost him some long balls. Finding the right balance between elevation and good contact will be key to unlocking his offensive potential. Additionally, his infield fly ball percentage climbed from 3.2% in 2023 to 9.9% in 2024, effectively sapping his slugging potential with an excess of infield pop-ups.

Path to Playing Time

Even with some solid showings in spring training, Siri isn’t guaranteed to beat out the incumbent Tyrone Taylor. It’s a choice the organization’s decision-makers will have to sort through. Taylor offers a well-rounded skill set and above-average defense, while Siri has more glaring flaws but provides much better power and elite defense.

Siri is a risky everyday option, but the hope is he can rediscover his 2023 form — and his spring training is an encouraging step forward.