New York Mets all-time best rookie seasons at each position

The New York Mets have had some amazing rookies pass through the organization. At each position, these are the top seasons produced by freshmen in franchise history.

As we move closer and closer to the 2020 season, the New York Mets have some very intriguing pieces on the current roster. Perhaps the most polarizing, or shall I say polar-bearizing, is the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year, Pete Alonso.

Taking into consideration his phenomenal rookie campaign, it made me wonder which players have also had memorable rookie seasons and could be considered for the all-time Mets rookie team?

After a lot of thought and an equal amount of research, I was able to come up with a solid group of Mets rookies to fill out the all-time team.

Starting Pitcher: Dwight ‘Doc’ Gooden, 1984

In 1984, Dwight Gooden experienced one of the best rookie seasons in Major League Baseball history. Gooden struck out 276 batters in 218 innings, to go along with a 2.60 ERA.

To top it all off, he also compiled 7 complete games during his historic rookie campaign.  Not only did Gooden take home the National League Rookie of the Year award, but he also finished in second place for the National League CY Young behind Rick Sutcliffe.

Doc would go on to anchor a World Series-winning pitching staff in 1986, and will always be remembered as one of the most dominant pitchers in franchise history.

Honorable Mention: Jerry Koosman, 1968

Relief Pitcher: Roger McDowell, 1985

The New York Mets have had a lot of memorable rookie seasons from their starting pitchers. The same can’t really be said for the guys out of the ‘pen. An anomaly to this is Roger McDowell‘s 1985 rookie season. Many younger generation fans think of him as a pitching coach, but back in the day, McDowell was one of the best relievers in baseball.

To kick off his 12-year major league career, McDowell was tied with Jesse Orosco for the team lead in saves with 17, which also led all rookies in Major League Baseball. Along with the 17 saves, McDowell pitched to the tune of a 2.83 ERA which also led all rookies with at least 100 innings pitched.

The following season, McDowell, like Doc Gooden, helped guide the Mets to their first World Series Championship in 17 years, which as we know is also their most recent championship.

Honorable Mention: Doug Sisk, 1983

Second Baseman: Jeff McNeil, 2018

Jeff McNeil‘s rookie season in 2018 was only a sign of things to come. Although McNeil didn’t make his debut until the end of July, he still made quite an impact, batting .329 with an on-base percentage of .381. He also had 6 triples on the season which was second-most on the team behind Amed Rosario and Brandon Nimmo who each had 8. Not bad for a guy who didn’t reach the big leagues until the age of 26.

The reasoning for McNeil debuting at a later age was mainly due to his inability to stay healthy. A hot start in 2018 led to McNeil hitting his way from Double-A to Triple-A and eventually into the Mets starting lineup.

McNeil would go on to have a very successful second year in the league, batting .318 with 23 home runs, and was selected to his first All-Star team. Is a batting title in McNeil’s future? I’d be surprised if it isn’t.

Honorable Mention: Kaz Matsui, 2004

Third Baseman: David Wright, 2004

Ah, the captain. David Wright put on a strong showing during his rookie season. Appearing in 69 games, Wright batted .293 with 14 home runs to go along with above-average defense at the hot corner.

According to FanGraphs, in only 69 games, Wright produced 4 defensive runs saved. Compared to some other players on this all-time rookie team, Wright had one of the more anticipated debuts as one of the Mets top prospects at the time.  After his rookie year, Wright would go on to have an even better sophomore season, swatting 27 home runs to go along with 102 RBI and a .306 batting average.

Unfortunately, Wright’s injuries later in his playing days derailed what could have been a Hall of Fame career. With that being said, he will still always be remembered as one of the best Mets of all time, and more importantly for this list, one of their best rookies.

Honorable Mention: Ty Wigginton, 2003

Shortstop: Jose Reyes, 2003

One of, if not the most electrifying player in franchise history, Jose Reyes hit the ground running during his 2003 rookie season. On his way to a top 10 finish in the Rookie of the Year voting, Reyes batted .307 with 19 extra-base hits to go along with 13 stolen bases.

It’s a shame that due to an ankle sprain, Reyes’ rookie season only consisted of 69 games, otherwise he would have lit up the stat sheet tenfold. Over the course of two separate stints, Reyes would go on to play 12 seasons in Queens. He amassed 507 stolen bases -408 of which came with the Mets- and hit to the tune of a .283 career batting average.

Reyes holds the Mets franchise record for both stolen bases and triples.

Honorable Mention: Rey Ordonez, 1996

Left Fielder: Steve Henderson, 1977

Oh what a year it was, 1977. The Mets won 100 games on their way to the 1977 World Series Title. Oh wait. That was the New York Yankees not the New York Mets, my mistake.

The Mets won a grand total of 64 games which led to a last-place finish in the National League East. There was a bright spot in all of this though and his name is Steve Henderson. Unless you were a fan of the team in the late ’70s, this is most likely the first time you’re hearing of Henderson.

Somewhat of an unlikely feat, Henderson enjoyed a career year in his rookie season, hitting .297 with 12 home runs and 65 RBI. Henderson finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, losing to some guy named Andre Dawson.

Honorable Mention: Michael Conforto, 2015

Center Fielder: Cleon Jones, 1966

One of the best outfielders to ever wear a Mets uniform, Cleon Jones enjoyed an unexpected breakout during the 1966 season which technically is considered his rookie year.  After getting called up at the end of the 1963 season which only resulted in 15 at-bats, Jones wasn’t recalled to the big leagues until 1965.

In 1965, he lasted about a month with the big league club before being demoted for the rest of the season. In 1966, Jones played in 139 games, many of which came in center field. During those 139 games, Jones batted .275 with 8 home runs and 57 RBI. He also added to that with 16 doubles and 16 stolen bases. Not too bad for a guy who couldn’t get off the interstate during his first two call-ups, batting a combined .141.

Jones will always be remembered for dropping to one knee as he caught the final out of the 1969 World Series, the first championship in franchise history.

Honorable Mention: Mookie Wilson, 1981

Right Fielder: Darryl Strawberry, 1983

The man with the most iconic swing in franchise history, Darryl Strawberry burst onto the scene during his 1983 rookie campaign. On his way to becoming the first position player to win the Rookie of the Year award, Strawberry hit .257 with 26 home runs and 74 RBI.

Strawberry had power unlike the franchise had ever seen. It was as though Strawberry could hit the ball a mile just by the flick of his wrist, launching majestic home runs one after the other. His franchise record of 26 rookie home runs stood strong until Pete Alonso more than doubled Strawberry’s total with 53.

These two men will be linked forever and there’s no reason to believe that Alonso can’t match Strawberry’s career success, and then some. The future is bright, just like it was all the way back in Strawberry’s rookie season of 1983.

Honorable Mention: Ron Swoboda, 1965

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Which other Mets rookie seasons do you think deserved a consideration?