Power is not really his game, but it doesn’t matter: there is little doubt that New York Mets star Jeff McNeil was born to hit a baseball.
The 2022 All-Star has been playing at a really high level this season, but has been particularly hot as of late.
“Since July 30th, Jeff McNeil has been the best player in baseball. His 2.0 fWAR leads MLB. He is hitting .438/.463/.697 with a league-best 227 wRC+ during that span. Francisco Lindor has the second-best fWAR at 1.7,” Locked On Mets host Ryan Finkelstein tweeted.
Since July 30th, Jeff McNeil has been the best player in baseball.
His 2.0 fWAR leads MLB. He is hitting .438/.463/.697 with a league-best 227 wRC+ during that span.
Francisco Lindor has the second-best fWAR at 1.7
— Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) August 22, 2022
That stat line, and the wRC+ in particular, are proof that while power is nice and useful, it’s not the be-all, end-all.
McNeil Is Who He Is, And That’s An Incredibly Productive Hitter
He can be productive while hitting the ball with authority and getting on base, which is what has made him such a successful major leaguer to this date, his mediocre 2021 notwithstanding.
Not only can he perform like the best hitter in the world, but McNeil has also played Gold Glove-caliber defense at two spots: second base and the outfield.
His versatility opens up lots of doors and opportunities for manager Buck Showalter: he can play around with the lineup and the designated hitter spot, knowing that McNeil is perfectly capable of handling the keystone and both outfield corners.
Overall, his .321/.374/.465 line with seven home runs and a 142 wRC+ makes him one of the best players in the Mets’ talented lineup.
As long as McNeil is healthy and producing, the team will have an incredibly productive on-base threat at the top of the lineup, and runs will come in bunches.
He has been one of the most consistent Mets in 2022, and a big reason why the team owns the second-best record in MLB.
NEXT: The Mets Owned An NL East Rival In 2022