Mets 2019 Auditions: Jeff McNeil is the front runner for the 2019 second base job

For the rest of 2018, Jeff McNeil is auditioning for the New York Mets starting second base job in 2019. As the best internal option available, he’s the current front runner.

Second base is one of the few positions the New York Mets could search for in the free agent market. If Jeff McNeil can pass his audition, the job belongs to him.

The starting job at second base is McNeil’s to lose. The organization lacks internal two-bagger options for next season. The clear frontrunner is McNeil whose terrific minor league season in 2018 catapulted him to the major leagues.

McNeil is not the ideal second baseman. He’s a poor defender and yet another left-handed hitter. The Amazins are in dire need of a right-handed stick next year. That’s not up for McNeil to figure out. All he has to do is hit.

Everyone benefits from McNeil opening 2019 at second base. His affordable contract would allow for the Mets to spend elsewhere. Fans also get to see an underdog story play out.

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Until this year, McNeil wasn’t even a twinkle in the eye of Citi Field. He played his way into our vocabulary. Many noticed him early on this season. Now, everyone knows the kid.

There’s no doubt McNeil deserves a 25-man roster spot next year. How they plan to use him is what remains unclear.

One idea is for McNeil to become more of a utility player. This goes against Mickey Callaway‘s original ridiculous statement that he’s viewed exclusively as a second baseman. The team has already used him at third base so let’s refer to the manager’s comments as yet another bout of verbal diarrhea.

My personal preference would be for McNeil to win the starting second base job. To supplement him, the Mets can add a right-handed hitter with second base abilities. The role would be similar to what Jose Reyes was supposed to supply them with in 2018. It doesn’t need to be anyone amazing. The Mets just need a decent backup plan.

McNeil has less than two months left to showcase his abilities. This means hitting well and coming up with clutch hits when needed. Thus far, McNeil has created a very nice looking resume for 2019 complete with proper spacing and a lovely font.

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An uncommon occurrence in 2018, everyone is rooting for this guy to succeed. The better he plays now, the greater chance we see him claim the second base job without having to fight for it next spring.