The New York Mets offense has been surprisingly productive in 2022 so far.
They are seventh in MLB and fourth in the National League with a .715 OPS.
Sure, Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar, and many others have contributed with the success of the lineup, but one guy stands above the rest: Brandon Nimmo.
Those who understand how valuable walks and a high OBP are for a lineup truly appreciate what Nimmo is doing for the Mets; not only in 2022 but in his career as a whole.
“Brandon Nimmo has reached base safely in 11 of his last 17 plate appearances; has an active 23-game on-base streak, which is third-longest in the Majors; and has increased his season OBP to .412, which ranks seventh in MLB,” MLB.com beat writer for the Mets Anthony DiComo tweeted.
Brandon Nimmo…
🔹 …has reached base safely in 11 of his last 17 plate appearances.
🔹 …has an active 23-game on-base streak, which is third-longest in the Majors.
🔹 …has increased his season OBP to .412, which ranks seventh in MLB.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 12, 2022
The Ideal Leadoff Hitter For The Mets
If your leadoff hitter has an OBP of .400 or more, your offense will likely be extremely productive.
The Mets have enjoyed Nimmo’s skillset for a while now.
In 2022, he is slashing .286/.402/.439 with three homers, 17 runs, and nine RBI.
His 15.3 percent walk rate is absolutely elite, and his .840 OPS is equally good.
The most impressive thing is that Nimmo has been doing this for a while.
He has posted a .400 OBP in four of his six full seasons (excluding his abbreviated rookie year in 2016), and the years in which he didn’t reach that mark, his OBPs were .379 (2017) and .375 (2019).
As long as he is hitting at or near the top of the Mets’ lineup, the unit will continue being successful.
Alonso, Marte, Lindor, James McCann, McNeil, Dom Smith, J.D. Davis, and the rest of his teammates surely enjoy seeing him get on base in front of them.
NEXT: Jacob deGrom Is Throwing A Baseball Again