2023 Mets Report Card: Jeff McNeil, UT
JEFF McNEIL
Player Data: Age: 31 (04/08/1992), B/T: L/R
Primary Stats: 648 PA, .270/.333/.378/.711, 158 H, 10 HR, 55 RBIs
Advanced Stats: 100 wRC+, 10% K, 6% BB, .288 BABIP, .290 xwOBA, 2.6 fWAR, 2.3 bWAR
2023 Salary: $6.25 million
GRADE: C+
2023 Review:
Going into the 2023 season, Jeff McNeil was riding an all-time high. He was crowned the 2022 NL Batting Champion, beating out Freddie Freeman on the last day of the season. Then, in the offseason, he signed a four-year $50 million contract extension with a club option for 2027. Everything was going right for McNeil until it wasn’t.
McNeil finished the first half of the 2023 campaign batting .253/.331/.328 with an 89 wRC+, 81 hits, 13 doubles and 26 RBIs. Normally teams would be thrilled out of this type of production from a bat in their lineup, but for the Mets, it felt uncharacteristic for the superman. He simply struggled in all categories that he excelled in the year prior and looked lost at the plate.
After struggling out of the gates after the All-Star break, McNeil hit his stride like seasons past. From August 1 until the end of the season, he hit .303/.342/.466 with 63 hits, nine doubles and 21 RBIs. His wRC+ skyrocketed to 123. and his strikeout rate declined from 11.6% to 8.1% as he made more contact with the ball. Most importantly, he returned to form by coming up with the clutch hit.
JEEEEEFFFF ???? pic.twitter.com/zwDCmjruV7
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 19, 2023
The utility man ended his season on the IL in late September, officially diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his left elbow, an injury more common in position players. He noted that the injury, “was something he was grinding through all year,” and it’s not hard to imagine how much the injury impacted his poor first half. In addition, McNeil participated in the World Baseball Classic this past spring with teammates Pete Alonso and Adam Ottavino on Team USA. As the world saw Edwin Díaz go down with injury there, some may speculate if it impacted McNeil’s performance as well.
While he’s been thrust into almost every position on the field, McNeil spent most of his time at second base this past year, just like the previous year. With the call ups of Ronny Mauricio, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, McNeil found himself in a game of musical chairs, playing shortstop, centerfield and first base for the first time in his major league career this year. McNeil’s seven errors in all positions this year should float his name in the utility player position category for a Golden Glove Award nomination.
McNeil making plays in right! pic.twitter.com/s31SO2EYZQ
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 21, 2023
2024 Preview:
First and foremost, how McNeil proceeds with the UCL injury will be detrimental to his 2024 outlook. At the end of the season, he received plasma injections and is expected to avoid surgery. As a right-handed thrower, it’s a relief, but as a left-handed hitter, it’s something to keep an eye on.
After this, McNeil should be a true utility player moving forward. With the emergence of Mauricio and the other Baby Mets as mentioned above, McNeil’s position in the field will be dependent on where they play. No matter where he plays, McNeil will succeed and has the track record to play it.
If Jeff McNeil’s 2024 season picks up right where his 2023 season ended, he’ll be back in the batting champion title conversation in no time. He is one of the best bat-to-ball hitters in the game and can drive a count up, making a pitcher crazy. These skills make him an asset to any team, especially the Mets and will benefit them as they look to compete once more next year.
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