No player on the Mets is more polarizing/misunderstood than Jeff McNeil. Some want him to revert to a 19th Century slap hitter, some want him to continue to focus on hitting the ball hard while others want him traded to open up a spot for Luisangel Acuna
As much as I like McNeil and hope he reverts back to an earlier time, I am not bullish on him doing so.
350 PA .260/.300/.375 8 HR
Happy for his to get off to a great start and make my projection look stupid, but I’m sensing the 30’s have caught up to him and if he is still on the roster when the season starts, he will be sharing that position with Acuna. With a $15.7 million contract that repeats in 2026, he has also become a financial liability.
Hmm.. I just saw this statement on SI talking about Jeff using a different bat in Spring Training. The quote is by Tom Verducci: “If you recall, in the second half of last season Jeff slugged over .500. In the offseason, he said ‘You know what, I want to continue to do that, to hit for power and not for average’. He worked especially on getting his bat speed up and to do that, he went to the more traditional bat.”
My above prediction has him reverting to his old way - trying for average and not so much power, which would seem to be what is needed from him this year.
In the last three of four years Jeff McNeil has been slightly below average. I think he will be better this year than the last two years and be slightly above average. Mauricio, Williams, Acuno, and Baty are breathing down his neck. When one of them earns the second base position then the Mets should trade McNeil.
Last year was a disappointing year for McNeil and everybody that projected was disappointed also. Gus was very disappointed that he wasn't an All-Star like he predicted. Brian missed by a hundred the plate appearances but gets the award because he was closer than anyone else . I predicted the closest BA at 278 , 41 points off ! Steve_S predicted at 335 OPS and McNeil had a 308. I was the only one that predicted a slugging percentage below 400. I predicted 392 and Jeff had a 384. Brian only missed the home runs by two and was the champion of that category.
I like what Brian did with the binary outcomes. I agree that McNeil will either be an asset to the lineup or he won’t and will be replaced fairly quickly. I think in the best case scenario he’ll still only get 500 PAs due either to injury, rest days, or the desire to see some of the prospects get some playing time, even if he’s doing well.
Bull: PA 500. 275/375/450 16 HRs
Bear: PA 175, 215/275/315 4 HRs
I go back and forth on McNeil. Since I now live in his hometown, I get a lot of McNeil love whenever I wear my Mets cap out and about. He seems like a good guy, probably a lot of fun. He also reminds me of Danny Ainge, who had a perpetual whiny scowl plastered across his mug.
I caught an interview with him and he basically said all the right things. The interview took place before some big Pro-Am tourney, for which he was the reigning champ. When the interviewer turned to golf, McNeil lit up. Golf seems to be his real passion and I would be willing to bet he spends a lot more time on the range than on the cage. So when one of the prospects eventually wins out, my heart won’t be broken, not even a little.
609 PA, .298/.372/.504 18hr
Better, but not all the way back:
550 PA, .275/.340/.365, 15 HR
<400 PA
<10 HR
sets team lead for GIDP
packaged and mercifully traded along with his sour attitude if it comes, otherwise benched. He's had his run and its over.
600 PA, .292/.351/.470, 16 HR
As much as I like McNeil and hope he reverts back to an earlier time, I am not bullish on him doing so.
350 PA .260/.300/.375 8 HR
Happy for his to get off to a great start and make my projection look stupid, but I’m sensing the 30’s have caught up to him and if he is still on the roster when the season starts, he will be sharing that position with Acuna. With a $15.7 million contract that repeats in 2026, he has also become a financial liability.
Please prove me wrong Squirrel!
I have Jeff penciled in for a good, not great year . .
Games: 130
Plate Appearances: 456
At Bats: 412
Hits: 125
Doubles: 24
Triples: 1
Homeruns: 12
RBI: 62
Runs Scored: 64
Stolen Bases: 6
Caught Stealing: 2
Walks: 32
Strikeouts: 62
BA: .303
OBP: .357
SLG: .454
OPS: .811
Total Bases: 187
HBP: 6
Sac: 1
SF: 5
Intentional Walks: 2
Guessing around 1.8 WAR ??
Hmm.. I just saw this statement on SI talking about Jeff using a different bat in Spring Training. The quote is by Tom Verducci: “If you recall, in the second half of last season Jeff slugged over .500. In the offseason, he said ‘You know what, I want to continue to do that, to hit for power and not for average’. He worked especially on getting his bat speed up and to do that, he went to the more traditional bat.”
My above prediction has him reverting to his old way - trying for average and not so much power, which would seem to be what is needed from him this year.
In the last three of four years Jeff McNeil has been slightly below average. I think he will be better this year than the last two years and be slightly above average. Mauricio, Williams, Acuno, and Baty are breathing down his neck. When one of them earns the second base position then the Mets should trade McNeil.
PA 545, BA 268, OBP 333, SLG 400, HR 11
Last year was a disappointing year for McNeil and everybody that projected was disappointed also. Gus was very disappointed that he wasn't an All-Star like he predicted. Brian missed by a hundred the plate appearances but gets the award because he was closer than anyone else . I predicted the closest BA at 278 , 41 points off ! Steve_S predicted at 335 OPS and McNeil had a 308. I was the only one that predicted a slugging percentage below 400. I predicted 392 and Jeff had a 384. Brian only missed the home runs by two and was the champion of that category.
I like what Brian did with the binary outcomes. I agree that McNeil will either be an asset to the lineup or he won’t and will be replaced fairly quickly. I think in the best case scenario he’ll still only get 500 PAs due either to injury, rest days, or the desire to see some of the prospects get some playing time, even if he’s doing well.
Bull: PA 500. 275/375/450 16 HRs
Bear: PA 175, 215/275/315 4 HRs
I go back and forth on McNeil. Since I now live in his hometown, I get a lot of McNeil love whenever I wear my Mets cap out and about. He seems like a good guy, probably a lot of fun. He also reminds me of Danny Ainge, who had a perpetual whiny scowl plastered across his mug.
I caught an interview with him and he basically said all the right things. The interview took place before some big Pro-Am tourney, for which he was the reigning champ. When the interviewer turned to golf, McNeil lit up. Golf seems to be his real passion and I would be willing to bet he spends a lot more time on the range than on the cage. So when one of the prospects eventually wins out, my heart won’t be broken, not even a little.
For what it’s worth, Robin Ventura hails from around here too and apparently has quite an estate nearby.
I think will have a good year and hit more for power than we've seen in his past. I'll bet he pushes 20 HR this year!