Well, that wraps up Spring Training! Next stop: Flushing, Queens.
Spring Training is always fun because we get a glimpse into what’s on tap and how our players look for the regular season. However, until regular season games are played, Grapefruit League results mean nothing.
That doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun and hypothesize though, right?
Here are 10 bold predictions for your 2018 New York Mets. I look forward to hearing from all of you in October when they do or don’t come true. 🙂
No. 10 – Matt Harvey Will Return to 2015 Form
After undergoing two major surgeries, Matt Harvey is as big of a question mark as any going into the 2018 season.
However, going into his walk year, I think Harvey will have a fire under his butt because he wants that big payday next winter.
Harvey had a solid spring, going 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA over five starts (20.0 innings pitched). He had some shaky moments, but finished on a high note, handing in 5.1 strong innings in his final spring tune up on Tuesday.
While Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard will anchor the rotation, Harvey will give them a quality No. 3 guy as he rebounds from the roughest season of his career.
My prediction: 13-8 record, 2.90 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 6.8 K/9, 1.165 WHIP.
No. 9 – Amed Rosario Will Break Out
Amed Rosario may not have set the world ablaze in his two months with the big club in 2017, but at 22-years-old, the future for the young shortstop is bright.
With eyes glued to other story lines such as the rotation battle, Michael Conforto, Yoenis Cespedes and all the newbies, Rosario quietly had a very strong Spring, going 15-for-48 (.313/.353/.542).
The former No. 1 prospect still isn’t drawing a ton of walks, but showed us why he was so highly touted as he worked his way through the minor league system both offensively and defensively.
I think Rosario will be a strong offensive contributor and show off his smooth hands at shortstop day in and day out for the Mets in 2018.
My prediction: .295 batting average, .326 on-base percentage, .462 slugging, 10 home runs, 56 RBI.
No. 8 – Best Offensive Outfield In Baseball
Yes, you read that right. I think the Mets will have the strongest outfield at the dish out of any other Major League club.
Conforto may be starting the season on the disabled list, but has progressed better than expected and could return sooner than the original date of May 1.
Cespedes looks in midseason form as he launched six homers and hit .324 at the dish this spring. He also went back-to-back with Jay Bruce on Sunday, a theme I expect us to see many times throughout the season.
When healthy, these guys carry big sticks and it’ll show as they give the starters a much needed boost in the heart of the lineup.
Beyond the starting three, I believe Brandon Nimmo will be one of the best No. 4 outfielders in all of baseball and will give the team some pop and speed on the bases during spot starts and late in games.
My prediction: Cespedes, Bruce and Conforto will combine to hit 90 home runs for the Mets alone.
No. 7 – Jacob deGrom Will Capture the Cy Young
Many think Noah Syndergaard will be the Mets pitcher to bring home a Cy Young award, but I believe it will in fact be Jacob deGrom who does it in 2018.
DeGrom showed in 2018 that he is the rock of this rotation and can go out their every fifth day and give the team the best chance to win.
He struggled early on last year which ultimately was his downfall when being considered for the award, but this year, I think he will be even better as he has accomplished the feat of 200 innings and has proven himself over a full season.
My prediction: With 19 wins, deGrom will take home his very first Cy Young honors, just narrowly edging out Noah Syndergaard and his 17 wins.
No. 6 – Jeurys Familia Will Dominate
Jeurys Familia got into just 26 games for the Mets last season after his domestic abuse suspension and surgery to remove a blood clot in his shoulder.
However, Familia notched 51 saves just two seasons ago, and when healthy, is one of the most dominant closers in the game. Yes, he can be erratic at times, but he has proven he is a force to be reckoned with when healthy.
Also in his walk year, I believe Familia will rebound from his rough 2017 campaign and give the Mets a lock down closer again.
My prediction: Familia will smash his record of 51 strikeouts from two years ago and record 53 for New York in 2018.
Ed Delany, MMO
No. 5 – Gavin Cecchini, Starting Second Baseman
It’s finally time for Gavin Cecchini‘s breakout.
The former first round pick showed up to camp this year with a chip on his shoulder and a bone to pick with all the naysayers.
Despite the fact that he was reassigned to minor league camp and didn’t crack the Opening Day roster, I don’t think we have seen the last of old Gavin.
Over a grueling 162 game season, injuries happen, struggles happen and really, just about anything can happen.
I think Cecchini will get an opportunity to shine and will run with it, as the now 25-year-old will secure himself as the teams second baseman for the playoff push.
My prediction: Cecchini will be called up in June and will hit a robust .310 for the month. In the field, him and Rosario will jive up the middle and turn some filthy double plays.
No. 4 – Wilmer Flores, Starting First Baseman
It won’t be long before Wilmer Flores dethrones Adrian Gonzalez as the starting first baseman.
Gonzalez will get April to prove himself, but when he doesn’t, Flores will be up for the task.
In years past, Flores has struggled to find a permanent position, but each season has proved more and more he can be a successful hitter. This year, he will get his chance to start on a regular basis and will seize the day.
My prediction: Flores will launch 25 home runs and hit .280 from first base while Dominic Smith gets more seasoning at the Triple-A level.
No. 3 – Zack Wheeler, Strong Relief Pitcher
Zack Wheeler may be disappointed right now that he was left off the team’s 25-man roster to begin the season, but will come back with a vengeance.
No, not as a starter, but as a back end relief pitcher.
Wheeler, who has lacked conviction as a starter will come back as a reliever midseason and thrive in a one or two inning capacity. The right-hander has electric stuff still and in limited action, can blow guys away.
My prediction: With both Familia and AJ Ramos departing at season’s end, Wheeler will begin to establish himself as the future closer of the New York Mets.
No. 2 – Todd Frazier Will Prove to Be Shrewdest Move of Offseason
I was pining for the Mets to sign Todd Frazier all offseason and was so happy when they pulled the trigger.
Many fans wanted Mike Moustakas, but upon researching their peripherals, Frazier bested him in a lot of categories both offensively and defensively.
It was time to bring in an established third baseman and a strong locker room presence.
Frazier fits that bill and along with the strong outfield trio, will be a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the Mets order.
My prediction: Frazier will hit just .245 for New York in 2018, but will have a .350 on-base percentage and launch 28 home runs while being good for 10 defensive runs saved at the hot corner.
No. 1 – The Mets Will Dethrone the Washington Nationals
Fresh blood.
With Mickey Callaway now at the helm, Dave Eiland as the pitching coach and a breath of fresh air in the clubhouse, the Mets will return to the playoffs for the third time in the last four years.
But, they won’t do it via a wild card berth. No, they will do it by winning the division and toppling the Washington Nationals.
Callaway will lead the Mets to a 92 win campaign, winning the division by a four game margin over Washington.
My prediction: The team will face and eliminate the Dodgers in the first round, face Washington in the NLCS and beat them in seven games and go on to beat the Houston Astros in the 2018 World Series in six games.
New York will hoist the World Series trophy for the first time since 1986 at the ticker-tape parade at the Canyon of Heroes in front of thousands upon thousands of screaming Mets fans.
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So there you have it! Some reasonable and some lofty predictions for the Amazin’s.
A lot can happen over 162 games but I am confident against all odds that this team will be playing in October once more.
Wanna chat about my predictions and voice yours? Find me on Twitter, @robpiersall!
