New York Mets: Four bold predictions for the offense in 2020

Amed Rosario gets close to 200 hits and steals over 20 bases

First of all, let me start out by saying that it is very difficult for anyone to get to 200 hits for a full season. Especially if that player is on the Mets, as only two Mets players have ever reached that milestone in the history of the franchise – Jose Reyes in 2008 and Lance Johnson in 1996.

But I do think Amed Rosario might have the ability to reach this milestone for several reasons. One is because of his durability. In order to even have a chance to compete to get to 200 hits, you have to probably get anywhere from 670 to 700 official at-bats in a season. Rosario started 154 and 157 games in his first two full years in the majors at shortstop and is still relatively young.

Making jumps in offensive production in each of his last two years, the talented young Dominican infielder has a chance to reach 160 starts and close to 700 official at-bats this season, putting him in reach of obtaining 200 hits. His batting average would have to take a small leap from last year, but I think he has the potential to do so.

Going from .287 to somewhere around .295, along with 40 more plate appearances is within reason and with an improved contact rate and fast running ability, legging out more infield singles and stealing over 20 bases shouldn’t be that much of a problem.

With the Mets expected to have a more lengthened line up should Yoenis Cespedes come back early in the season, Rosario can expect to have better pitches to swing at batting either low in the order or in the number two hole just ahead of the big sluggers in our offense.