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

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New York Mets Jose Reyes stealing third base during game 1 of doubleheader against the Florida Marlins, played at Shea Stadium in Flushing, N.Y. Mets defeated the Marlins 17 – 3 on July 8, 2006. (Photo by Bryan Yablonsky/Getty Images) /

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

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