Photo by Chris Simon

Luis Guillorme has been absolutely raking for the Mets as of late.

Considered a role player prior to the start of 2022, Guillorme has established himself as a regular in the lineup thanks to a hot May. While normally a reliable presence in the field with his steady glove, the veteran has showed this month that his bat can be a real weapon. In doing so, he’s quickly earned the trust of Mets’ manager Buck Showalter.

Guillorme’s hot streak continued on Saturday night as the 27-year-old went 3-for-3 with a walk as the Mets beat the Phillies 8-2. He reached the plate in each of his four plate appearances.

Hitting in a lead-off spot for the first time this season, a richly-deserved reward for his recent production, Guillorme began the first inning with a lead-off single before drawing a walk in the bottom of the third.

He then perfectly executed a bunt single in the fifth and a productive night at the plate was complete with a line-drive single in the seventh inning. That bunt single, which was a work of art, sparked a three-run fifth inning that effectively killed the Phillies off.

Guillorme is now hitting .352 on the year and his ability to put the ball in play has been critical to both his and the team’s overall success so far this season. Perhaps more impressive, though, is the fact that the veteran owns a .425 OBP. This figure ranks fifth in Major League Baseball among players with 80-plus plate appearances.

Think that’s good? Guillorme’s .425 OBP is better than Mike Trout, Freddie Freeman, Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Brandon Nimmo, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper and 278 others.

That’s pretty darn impressive.

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

And, while Guillorme won’t attract the same headlines as the likes of Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor currently are, the righty is certainly appreciated by his manager. Showalter knows what he’s getting from the veteran on a nightly basis.

“He knows people get what he brings and appreciated it, and it has put him in a really great frame of mind,” Showalter said.

With Nimmo out of the lineup with a sore wrist, Guillorme stepped up on Saturday and proved that he can succeed in the lead-off spot. Namely due to his ability to make the pitchers really work, draw walks, and put balls into play makes him a dangerous weapon in the lineup. His hot May has proved that he’s a lot more than just defense-first role player.