Mets Player Performance Meter: Position Players, June 17-23

In what is nearly a complete one-eighty from last season, the Mets continue to produce runs relatively consistently, with solid hitters up and down their lineup. But it is their pitching that failed them this week for the most part, as they dropped two out of three to the Braves and split their four-game series with the Cubs. Two of their three wins this week were 10-2 victories, which inflates the numbers for some of these players somewhat. Nonetheless, almost every player in the starting lineup had a good week, with the poor performances coming from the bench and role players on the roster.

The only exception to this is Robinson Cano, who posted a 37 wRC+ in 23 plate appearances in his first full week back off the injured list. He had just three hits this week, but one of them was a home run, his fourth of the year. He also walked once, drove in two runs, and scored two runs. Despite Cano’s continued struggles, Mickey Callaway continues to bat him third in the lineup.

It’s not like Callaway is facing a shortage of options to place in the third spot in the batting order. Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso, and Todd Frazier all had monster weeks at the plate and while Alonso probably makes the most sense of anyone in that group, any one of them, along with Michael Conforto, could reasonably hit third. Pete Alonso slugged an absolutely insane 1.042 this week, which blows everyone else on the team out of the water. Seven of his ten hits this week went for extra bases, including four—yes FOUR—home runs. He broke some records this week too. He surpassed Darryl Strawberry for most home runs in a season by a Mets rookie. He’s hit the most home runs ever by a rookie in the National League before the All-Star Break. Aside from home runs, Alonso also leads the team in runs scored (7), walks (7), and RBIs (8) this week. He put up a monstrous 291 wRC+ for the week, which also leads the team.

The team hits leader this week is, unsurprisingly, Jeff McNeil, who collected eleven hits in 28 plate appearances. McNeil also diversified his portfolio this week, smacking two home runs and stealing two bases. He continues to be one of the Mets’ most consistent hitters, posting a blistering 215 wRC+ for the week. He was second only to Alonso for the team lead in runs scored with six.

Todd Frazier continues to quietly make up for his slow start to the season at the plate. He had a .333/.462/.667 slash line this week in 26 plate appearances this week. Frazier also hit two home runs this week and drove in six runs. He also walked four times and scored three runs. That translates to a 196 wRC+ for the week.

Michael Conforto hit two home runs this week as well. They were two of six hits he collected this week in 27 plate appearances. He put up a somewhat unassuming 105 wRC+, but still scored five runs and drove in five runs this week. He also walked twice. Conforto may get more reps out of position in center field moving forward, somewhat out of necessity with the continued absence of Brandon Nimmo.

The only player other than Alonso and McNeil to collect double digit hits this week is Amed Rosario, who had a very hot week at the plate this week, putting up a 177 wRC+ over 25 plate appearances. Of his ten hits, three were for extra bases. He scored four runs, drove in two, and stole three bases this week.

Both Mets catchers also had a good week with the bat. Wilson Ramos posted a 135 wRC+ and Tomas Nido a 131 wRC+. Ramos is beginning to hit for more power as the weather has warmed and hit another home run this week, his ninth of the year. He also walked twice and scored three runs. In twelve plate appearances this week, Nido collected three hits, including a home run, and two runs scored. He also drew one walk.

Other than Nido, the Mets’ bench did not have a good week this week. Both Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis struggled at the plate and in the field at times this week. Just like Jeff McNeil, neither are natural outfielders, but have been forced into the role to get their bats in the lineup. Unfortunately, they did not produce much this week. Davis had three hits—all singles—in sixteen plate appearances, good for 37 wRC+ for the week. He walked twice and scored two runs. Dominic Smith walked twice, but went hitless in ten plate appearances.

Smith and Davis getting at-bats in the corner outfield positions has been, in part, to make up for the offensive deficiencies of both Juan Lagares and Carlos Gomez, who both did not produce much with the bat this week. Gomez had two hits—both singles—and walked twice in fifteen plate appearances. He also stole a base. Lagares notched just one hit and a walk in fourteen plate appearances with one run scored.

Adeiny Hechavarria has continued to cool off considerably since his hot first few weeks as a Met and gets his second straight down arrow this week. He had just one hit and one walk in eight plate appearances this week. He also scored a run.