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Jeff McNeil is having an all-around excellent season, but his recent success at the plate since the beginning of the second half should not go unnoticed. The 30-year-old is currently on an 11-game hitting streak, which was extended in the second inning of Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. McNeil hit a single through the open hole on the right side to lead off the inning, something he has been able to do consistently this season.

During his current hitting streak, McNeil has raised his batting average from .287 to .304 and his OPS from .745 to .797. At this point in the season, with how many at-bats he has already logged, the fact that he could have such a big increase in those statistics over this stretch is quite remarkable. McNeil is now up to 104 hits on the year, the fifth Met to reach 100 or more during this season.

A variety in the type of hits McNeil has got over this run shows how zeroed in he is at the plate. The combination of hits to the pull side and the other way has forced opponents to play him more straight up as the season has progressed.

The resurgence of the utility man should come as no surprise for most of the Mets fanbase. McNeil put an emphasis on hitting for more power last year, which led to other aspects of his game showing a bit of regression. Under the guidance of new hitting coach Eric Chavez, the two-time All-Star is back to being the complete hitter he was for the first two and a half years of his career.

McNeil being so consistent at the plate throughout this season has led to him being placed near the middle of the order. His ability to produce quality at bats behind Pete Alonso and Daniel Vogelbach is why manager Buck Showlater has him higher up in the order more consistently rather than all over the batting order. McNeil is hitting .324 with a .779 OPS in 71 plate appearances out of the six hole.

The Mets lineup is at its best when McNeil is focused more on getting on-base versus him looking to hit home runs.

McNeil may not be the first name that comes to mind when people think of the Mets lineup, but his importance is right up there with Alonso and Francisco Lindor among others. What he has been able to accomplish from different spots in order shows how versatile he truly is for this team.