Jeff McNeil: The Real Deal?

Good Sunday everyone, I hope you ate your Wheaties and had your morning cup of Joe, because it's time for another edition of: "Sunday Reading!"

Today's topic is: 


The Flying Squirrel,

The Real Deal himself, Jeff McNeil.

In 2018, we were graced to find out Jeff McNeil when he was raking in AA Binghamton and eventually got promoted to AAA Las Vegas, still continued to rake and when September came a calling, he got promoted to the Big League Roster. 

Did McNeil do while wearing #68 for the Mets during his call up? The answer is very Simple....All he did was Rake of course!

Jeff McNeil is a pure hitter and some have even called him an old school hitter, especially with his low strikeout rate!

Enter 2019 with a new Jersey number for McNeil #6 and a great attitude that the team and the fans like! McNeil would become a Utility man being placed in Left Field, 2nd Base, 3rd Base and now even Right Field! There could be some shortstop in his future, but lets Just see about that.

Lets start with this. When McNeil came up to the big leagues for the first time, it was noted that his defense was suspect and needed a lot of work. In his very first start in the big leagues at 3rd Base, McNeil botched a routine play at 3rd Base. A lot of fans got on his case about it, but some decided to let it slide due to Jitters in his first start in an Unfamiliar position. Transition to a few games later and Asdrubal Cabrera traded, McNeil was now the Everyday Starting 2nd Baseman. With each start at 2nd Base, McNeil's defense got better and better!

At the end of the Season, it was clear that McNeil was to be the everyday starter and 2nd Base. Some even called McNeil "Daniel Murphy 2.0" except with better defensive Abilities. 

In the Off-season, with new General manager Brodie Van Wagenen, Plans were slightly altered. With the acquisition of Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, McNeil's starts at 2nd Base would be very limited. However, With McNeil's attitude and athletic ability, he was moved to Left Field for a Majority of Starts and would he thrive?

The Answer is Yes, Thrive he has in Left field. With virtually no experience and the only time he got the experience was in Spring training, McNeil thrived in Left Field and has more defensive abilities than expected in Left Field and now in Right Field! 

Even when Replacing Cano at 2nd Base in limited starts there, McNeil has improved dramatically and with everyday playing time something else has been impressive as well.

Can you guess what that is? Do you know what it is?

If you guessed his offensive ability than you guessed right!

McNeil's bat was impressive in 2018 with a .329 in 63 games, but in 63 games in 2019, he's batting a Hellatious .342 and I mean Hellatious in a very positive way! Even though he isn't a Home run hitter, he hits for Average and is almost always putting the Ball in play!

Is there anything negative to be said about McNeil?

Unfortunately there is, McNeil does have an Injury history.  He had a Hamstring injury this season which sidelined him for a bit, a Torn labrum in his shoulder 2 or 3 years ago and I believe he had some sort of Knee Surgery. Overall, The Mets have to be careful with McNeil. Give him everyday starts, but give him rest too. The last thing the team needs is to lose McNeil long term due to a knee Injury.

Thankfully, the Mets didn't Trade McNeil Seattle in the Diaz/Cano Deal or offer him in the Realmuto trade that eventually landed Realmuto to the Phillies.

In Conclusion, I think Sandy Alderson, yes Sandy Alderson at the time made a very smart decision to draft McNeil in the 12th Round in 2013. Had it not been for his Injury History, It's possible that McNeil would've been up with the Mets sooner, but I'm not complaining. He's doing wonders up with the Mets and hope he can contribute for a long time and have a successful career with The Mets!

That's all for Today!

Until the Next article my Friends,

LETS GO METS!!!