NY Mets report card grades for the first month of the season

One month into the 2020 season, it’s time to give some grades to the New York Mets.

2020 has been a strange year for everyone, and that includes the New York Mets. There have been many highs and lows in this shortened 60 game season.

One month has gone by in this season and the Mets currently sit at a record of 12-14 and are watching everyone else play as they deal with a player and a coach having Coronavirus. While the 12-14 record could be and should be better, the Mets are right in the middle of the playoff race due to the expanded playoffs.

There have been many surprises and disappointments on this team. The rotation has been bad, the lineup has underwhelmed, but the bullpen has not been awful. Let’s look at the grades for the first month of this strange season.

Jacob deGrom

What is there to say about this guy that you don’t already know? The best pitcher in baseball has been lights out in 2020. deGrom is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA and most importantly, the Mets are 4-1 in his starts. In a short season like this, the Mets must win pretty much every one of his starts. He somehow has increased his velocity and is hitting 100 mph on his fastball consistently. deGrom was dealing with a neck injury and missed a start but is now back and better than ever.

Grade: A+

Luis Guillorme

Easily the biggest surprise of this team. Guillorme was a no- factor when everyone was healthy, but guys like Jeff McNeil, Robinson Cano, and Amed Rosario all have dealt with injury and Guillorme has stepped in and done a wonderful job. In his 28 at-bats he has 13 hits and has played an outstanding second base. Guillorme is carving out a role for a spot on the 2021 team.

Grade: A+

Dominic Smith

Smith is another guy who didn’t really have a role to begin the year but has stepped up since being inserted as an everyday player. Following the departure of Yoenis Cespedes, Dom has started 18 of the Mets 26 games and leads the team in doubles, home runs, and RBI. For a team that struggles to get the big hit, Smith has been one of the few that has come through in the clutch.

Grade: A+

Andres Gimenez

Mets fans have quickly fallen in love with the 21-year-old rookie. Gimenez has been a surprise with the bat and has been just as advertised in the field. When McNeil, Rosario, and Cano were hurt, Gimenez stepped in with Guillorme and formed a dynamic double-play combination. He was a sparkplug the Mets needed to stay afloat. Gimenez is tied for the major league lead with six stolen bases and has been a nice change of pace for a team that struggles defensively, and doesn’t steal many bases.

Grade: A

Tomas Nido

Another huge surprise has been the play of the Mets backup catcher, Tomas Nido. He has gotten at least one hit in six of the seven games he has started. While Wilson Ramos has struggled, Nido has really improved his offensive game. The defensive-minded catcher even had a multi-home run and six RBI game in a win against the Nationals. Ramos’ struggles might force the Mets to play Tomas Nido more, and I’m all for it.

Grade: A

Michael Conforto

The Mets’ most consistent hitter has started all 26 games the Mets have played and has been outstanding so far. He’s hitting .316 and is hitting well against righties and lefties. Three of his four home runs have been off of southpaws, which is very different from his past. This all-around production from Conforto has been what Mets fans have been waiting for. He has the biggest hit of the season thus far for the Mets and has been the most consistent Met overall.

Grade: A

Robinson Cano

He will always be known as the guy who was a part of the Jarred Kelenic trade. 2019 was a disappointment, but so far in 2020 Cano has been outstanding. When healthy, Cano has been the best hitter in this Mets lineup. In 17 games he has hit .373 with 4 home runs. After getting off to a slow start Cano got red hot, then got hurt, and since he came back he has continued to rake. This kind of production from Cano can help the Mets fans ease the pain of losing a future star.

Grade: A

David Peterson

Going into the 2020 season, Peterson was not expected to be on the roster. But after the Syndergaard and Stroman injuries, Peterson was inserted into the rotation and stepped up. He’s been the second-best starter the Mets have had this year as he is 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA. One of the more pleasant surprises thus far.

Grade: A

Chasen Shreve

Shreve was signed to a minor league deal this offseason and earned his way onto this Mets roster by pitching very well in the spring and summer camp. Since the season started, he’s been phenomenal. He’s given the Mets length when they have needed it. He’s striking out a career-best 13.1 batters per nine innings and with the three-batter minimum rule in place, and Shreve having to face lefties and righties, he’s flourished. He’s been a dependable middle relief arm for Luis Rojas to go to.

Grade: A

Jared Hughes

A late signing, Hughes missed the beginning of the season battling Coronavirus. Since getting healthy, Hughes has allowed just 2 runs in 10 innings out of the bullpen and has been another dependable arm for Rojas to go to. Hughes is pitching like he did years ago in Pittsburgh and if he keeps this up, that will be huge for this Mets bullpen.

Grade: A

Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo has done exactly what the Mets ask of him as their leadoff hitter. All this man does is get on base. Nimmo currently has a .430 OBP and has done a great job setting the table for the Mets boppers to try and bring him in. As the Mets everyday center fielder he has struggled a bit in the field but has been better since he started playing deeper. Overall. Nimmo has been extremely consistent and has gotten on base in every game but one. Exactly what you want out of your leadoff hitter.

Grade: A-