Jeff McNeil went from an unheralded school prospect to a two-time All-Star with a Silver Slugger award and an NL batting title.
Not unhealthy for a man who initially deliberate to play golf as an alternative of baseball.
With Pete Alonso signing a file contract final week and the Mets’ shopping for out Tomas Nido’s ultimate arbitration seasons with a two-year deal, it begs the query of the place the membership stands on a long-term extension with McNeil.
It’s about time to start out locking up among the membership’s younger homegrown expertise, as we mentioned beforehand with Alonso. Billy Eppler declined to get into particulars when requested on a Zoom name with reporters final week.
“Any kind of conversations that we’re gonna have with our players, I always want to keep those internal,” the Mets’ GM mentioned. “I’m not a big believer in, in talking about those types of things, or anybody’s employment or contract status or any of those types of natures. I don’t like doing that publicly. So I’m gonna just give you the, ‘I wouldn’t say’ that I tend to throw out now and again.”
The case is evident for the Mets’ do-it-all infielder/outfielder. He has confirmed himself to be a prime hitter within the league even together with his unconventional, knob-less bat. He can hit from anyplace within the order and get on base in a myriad of the way. He could not give the Mets a lot by way of energy however he has a knack for well timed hits, hitting .336 with a .806 OPS with runners in scoring place final season.
Often described as a throwback participant, he hits for contact and doesn’t strike out a complete lot. He takes a whole lot of pitches and makes life powerful for opposing defenses on the basepaths. McNeil has typically attributed this method to his school days at Long Beach State. The faculty that sits between Los Angeles and Orange County has been a veritable baseball manufacturing unit through the years, having despatched greater than 50 gamers to the large leagues. The crew has at all times preached the basics of pitching and enjoying protection, and on the offensive aspect of the ball, the hitters are typically well-rounded and discerning on the plate.
The left-handed hitter makes use of all fields and beats most defenses. Teams gained’t be capable of shift on him anymore, although they’ll get artistic with the brand new positioning guidelines in an try and restrict him. Still, it normally doesn’t matter how groups defend him.
The 30-year-old who grew up on the Central Coast of California was not a hot-shot prospect popping out of highschool or school. McNeil solely performed one season of varsity baseball after pivoting from golf and the Mets drafted him within the twelfth spherical. He rapidly proved he may hit at each degree. The Mets referred to as him up in 2018 and he continued hitting. He got here in sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
There was a time frame when his identify was connected to simply about each commerce rumor. It appeared as if different groups noticed one thing extra invaluable than what the Mets had been seeing. The membership held on to him and now there is no such thing as a query of the form of worth he brings.
McNeil performs second base, left area and proper area. He may play shortstop and third base if want be. He is the Mets’ most trusted bat and gained the NL batting title final season with a .326 common.
The largest query in terms of an extension for McNeil is his age. He’ll be 33 when he hits free company. If the Mets lengthen him now, a four-year contract with an possibility for a fifth may not be out of the realm of chance. The numbers get tough together with his age, however now we have seen that proprietor Steve Cohen will do what is important to maintain key gamers round.
And by the way in which, because it seems McNeil remains to be fairly good at golf, contending for the beginner championship in his hometown of Nipomo final weekend.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com