Mets First Half Report Card: Infielders

As the second half of the 2022 season gets set to resume tomorrow, the Mets are sitting pretty; they are 58-35, well above .500 and still in first place in the NL East. Before looking ahead to the last 100 or so games of the regular season, take a look back at how the season’s first half went.

The Metsmerized staff has already put together reports and grades on the team’s coaching staff, starting pitchers, relievers, outfielders, and designated hitters.

The fact that the Mets had two infielders in the All-Star Game – and one as a starter – was a good sign for the state of their infield over the past three months. Other than those who made the special trip to LA, the Mets have had a mix of either great surprises or underwhelming disappointments among their infield group.

Pete Alonso: A

As good as we saw Pete Alonso in his record-setting rookie year, and then again last season (37 home runs), the Polar Bear is on track for arguably his best season yet. At the break, Alonso has 24 home runs and 78 runs batted in, putting him on pace to absolutely smash the team RBI record. Despite his impressive power this year, his .517 slugging percentage is actually a career low for a full season (not counting the COVID-shortened year). But where Pete has excelled this year is not just in the power department. He’s driven in runs from all types of hits, including leading the major leagues with eight sacrifice flies.

Primarily playing first base, Alonso has belted 19 of his home runs while manning his fielding position. While he’s gotten some reps in at designated hitter as well, Pete’s made it clear he wants to play the field, and the Mets have given him every opportunity to do so aside from the occasional “half” rest day.

Jeff McNeil: A

Jeff McNeil has shifted his way around the field this season, but second base is where he’s played – and played well – most of the time. As a second baseman, McNeil is slashing .313/.382/.442 with three home runs and 16 RBIs, to go along with ten doubles as well. His 42 games at second are significantly more than time spent at another other position (29 games, left field).

McNeil represented the Mets as the National League All-Star starting second baseman, and was hit by a pitch in his first plate appearance – a typical theme all year for the Mets.

Francisco Lindor: A-

Francisco Lindor has not had a bad season by any means; this grade is more so reflective of the megastar that Lindor still is capable of being for the Mets. Through the break, the former Cleveland shortstop has put up 16 home runs and has driven in 66 runs, although his OPS+ of 114 is still a bit shy of the numbers he was posting back in northeast Ohio.

What is most impressive about Lindor this year is how well he has done compared to his letdown of 2021. Lindor’s numbers halfway through the season almost equal his full season numbers from last year (20 home runs, 63 runs batted in), which goes to show the major leap he has made in his second season in Queens.

As a fielder, Lindor remains well above average. His .980 fielding percentage ranks sixth in baseball among qualified shortstops. Luckily for the Mets, he’s set to be a mainstay in their lineup for years to come.

Luis Guillorme: B+

The utility infielder has perhaps been the biggest surprise for the Mets all season. Thrust into a variety of starting roles as the Mets have dealt with injuries all season, Guillorme has primarily played second base, but has spent a bit of time at third and short as well. His 10 RBIs are already a career high, but don’t let that low number fool you. Outside of the shortened 2020 season, Guillorme has a career-best OPS of .738.

While most of his months have been actually slightly below average, the month of May put Guillorme on the map. Across 21 games that month, he slashed an incredible .414/.477/.517.

Eduardo Escobar: C-

Coming to New York after several great seasons in Arizona and a brief stint in Milwaukee, the Mets hoped they would get the version of Escobar that earned an All-Star nomination in 2021. Instead, Escobar has largely underproduced, as evidenced by his 91 OPS+. He’s had short stints of hitting exceptionally – such as hitting homers in three consecutive games in early July – but also has two months of getting on-base at an under .260 clip.

That recent hot streak by Escobar is reason for optimism heading into the season’s second half, as he’s almost matched his home run total this month from the first three months of the season combined.

Both Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis received grades in the designated hitter article and neither of them were good.