Mets 2024 Positional Outlook: Second Base

Continuing our series of analyzing the depth and future prospects at specific positions, we will take a look at second base. The Mets have a clear starter at the position heading into the season. Outside that, a lot of uncertainty throughout the organization.

Big League Starter

Jeff McNeil

Age: 31 (4/8/1992)
Contract: 4-year, $50 million, 2027 club option
Roster Status: 40-Man Roster
MiLB Options: n/a

2024 Preview

The versatile Jeff McNeil will enter the 2024 season hoping to get back to his All-Star, batting champion, 2022-self. In 2023, McNeil turned in the second-worst season of his six-year MLB career. The “Flying Squirrel” hit a respectable .274 but was only able to post a .711 OPS and a below-average 96 OPS+.

McNeil saw his xBA drop from .280 (94th percentile) during his All-Star 2022 to only .251 (42nd percentile). This was driven by a huge decrease in proper contact (sweet spot contact dropped by a staggering 6.9%). Elsewhere, McNeil still did a fantastic job at not striking out, but his walk rate and chase rate increased year-over-year.

It is unrealistic to ask McNeil to replicate his 2022 season every season he is in the big leagues. However, throughout his career he has shown the ability to be a hitter that posts an xBA well-above league average, outside last season and 2021. To get back to that type of hitter, cutting back on chasing and making that “sweet-spot” contact (defined as a batted-ball event with a launch angle ranging from eight to 32 degrees) will help immensely.

Defensively, in terms of defensive runs saved (DRS), it was also a down year for McNeil in 2023. He posted a DRS of negative-3 after seasons of plus-4 and plus-3 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Despite the negative DRS in 2023, he did post a positive outs above average. Look for McNeil’s overall defensive profile to be above average once again in 2024.

If the Mets can get McNeil’s average closer to the .300 mark while he posted his usual 10 home runs, the top of the lineup will be much better for it. McNeil is one of many Mets who will hope to bounce back in 2024.

Big-League Depth 

Joey Wendle

Age: 33 (4/26/1990)
Contract: 1-year, $2 million
Roster Status: 40-Man Roster
MiLB Options: n/a

2024 Preview

Veteran Joey Wendle was one of a plethora of different minor moves made by the New York Mets during the beginning of the offseason. He signed to a one-year deal worth $2 million and projects to serve as an utility infielder off the bench for the Mets in 2024.

The 33-year-old Wendle had a down year in 2023, but has always possessed strong bat-to-ball skills while being a plus defender with decent speed on the bases. In 2023, Wendle only hit a startling .212 across 297 at-bats with the Miami Marlins. On the plus side of things, he still showed signs of the positive bat-to-ball ability (low whiff rate and low strikeout rate), was a plus baserunner (above league-average run value added), and his defensive run saved metrics were extremely strong at shortstop (plus-six).

Entering 2024, you have a pretty good idea of what you are going to get in Wendle. Specifically, a bench bat who won’t strikeout, will make contact, but lacks any type of power. He will also likely play a strong infield (plus-9 defensive runs saved and plus-2 outs above average in 2022 at second base). Lastly, he should provide great value as a pinch runner. Wendle has stolen 19 bases across the last two seasons while only being caught four times during limited action.

It’ll be interesting to see how Wendle stacks versus what Luis Guillorme gave the Mets the last couple of seasons. The non-batting glove wearing infielder projects as a slightly worst off hitter than Guillorme, albeit very similar profiles, but stronger in the field and much-better on the basepaths.

Upper-Level Depth

Zack Short

Age: 28 (5/29/1995)
Contract: Minor League
Roster Status: 40-Man Roster
MiLB Options: 0

2024 Preview

The 28-year-old Zack Short got an extended run in the big leagues last year for the Detroit Tigers. Short slashed a meager .204/.292/.339 (.631 OPS) to go along with seven home runs and 33 RBIs. On the plus side, he did do a good job of not chasing (minimal 16.4% chase rate) and posted a very strong 11.1% walk rate (82nd percentile, if qualified). Specifically, he spent most of his time playing second base where he posted a positive-4 defensive runs saved.

Short, who was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Nov. 6, owns a career .774 OPS in the minor leagues. If he survives 40-man roster cuts during spring training, he could figure into the equation as an utility infielder if injuries were to mount for the Mets.

Another potential minor league option is 26-year-old prospect Luke Ritter. The former seventh-round pick led the organization with 27 home runs last season to go along with .868 OPS and 125 wRC+ across the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

Coming Soon

Luisangel Acuña

Age: 21 (3/12/2002)
Contract: Minor League
Roster Status: 40-Man Roster
MiLB Options: 2

2024 Preview

Acquired from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Max Scherzer and cash, brother of Ronald, Luisangel Acuña, instantly became one of the Mets’ top prospects and is looked upon as a top-75 prospect in all of baseball. This all despite struggling with the Mets’ organization after coming over mid-year last season.

Acuña only hit .243 with a lowly .622 OPS after the trade with Double-A Binghamton. Prior to the deal, he was slashing .315/.377/.453 (.830 OPS) while in Double-A with the Rangers’ organization. Despite the struggles at the plate to end the season, Acuña was still electric on the bases as he ended with a staggering 57 stolen bags with only 10 caught stealings on the season.

Going forward, it is interesting to see what position he plays in the organization. With Francisco Lindor anchoring shortstop for the foreseeable future, it is likely to see Acuña get a run at second base as he played here a lot last season with Binghamton (Double-A). The 5 foot 8 inch Acuña could likely also play center field, but with other options in the minors who can play that position; Jett Williams and Drew Gilbert, second base appears the most likely. Regardless, he projects to be a plus-defender wherever he plays.

When will you see Acuña make his way to the big leagues? Sometime this season is not out of the question if he excels in his first full year with the organization. If everything goes right, the younger brother of the electric Ronald should be an everyday starter for the Mets to begin 2025. Overall, he projects as a strong defender, electric on the bases, and possesses close to 20-plus home run power.