The Mets have had their fair share of problems this season, but T.J. Rivera is not one of them.
The utility player has been tearing it up, continuing to prove that he belongs in the line-up every day. During his current nine-game hitting streak, he has gone 15-for-34 (.441) with three home runs and nine RBIs.
Over his last 22 games (since June 10), Rivera is hitting .372 (29-78) with five doubles, four home runs, 10 runs scored and 13 RBI.
Rivera the last Met to homer before the All Star break and the first to homer in the first game after it.
“It’s always nice to get the second half kicked off on a good start,” Rivera said.
“Sometimes you get a day off and you can stay in that rhythm, but four days is tough. I think everybody felt comfortable and that’s good to see. You just want to keep that rolling.”
Rivera is now hitting .302/.342/.464 with five home runs and 24 RBIs. In 62 games he has a .162 ISO and 114 wRC+.
This kid has been phenomenal and he just keeps hitting. He’s been solid in the field, too, which on this team is important. His best position seems to be first base where he has a 0.9 UZR and 0 DRS this season. At second base he has a -0.1 UZR and 1 DRS which still isn’t bad.
In 152.2 innings at third base he has a -1.0 UZR and -2 DRS which sounds bad at first, but he has in fact improved a lot at the hot corner. Last season, in just 49.0 innings at third base, he posted a -2.0 UZR and -1 DRS.
Rivera continues to improve with his glove all over the field while maintaining a high level of hitting. There is no reason he shouldn’t be in the line-up every day.
