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NY Mets: Three Jeff McNeil predictions for the 2021 season

By Nicholas Kyriacou |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets smiles after hitting a 2-run home run to left field in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field on September 09, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets smiles after hitting a 2-run home run to left field in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field on September 09, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 30: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets in action against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field on July 30, 2020 in New York City. Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Mets 4-2. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 30: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets in action against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field on July 30, 2020 in New York City. Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Mets 4-2. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

When Jeff McNeil burst onto the scene midway through the 2018 season, New York Mets fans soon realized they had found a star at the keystone position. Since then, he’s established himself as one of the team’s most consistent hitters, a versatile fielder, and even earned a fun nickname as the “Flying Squirrel” for his hard nose fielding across the diamond.

Although his power at the plate dipped in 2020, with McNeil hitting just 4 long balls in 183 at-bats, he remained a consistent hitter in the lineup; slashing .311/.383/.454 during the truncated season – his third sporting the orange and blue.

But what more does the Flying Squirrel have left in his treehouse and what should Mets fans expect from the 29-year-old in 2021? As one of the team’s premium athletes, here are my boldest predictions for him this season.

The Mets second baseman will record his fourth consecutive season with a BA over .300

Taken out of Long Beach State, the Mets selected Jeff McNeil in the 12th round (356th overall) of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. And after making his debut on July 24, 2018 against the San Diego Padres, fans might wonder (in retrospect) how he remained available for so long.

Through 3 MLB seasons, McNeil has recorded a career .319 BA, with 30 HRs and 117 RBIs; and with a full season that will see the 2019 NL All-Star as the Mets everyday second baseman, he will certainly have the opportunity to showcase his consistency at the plate and possibly get close to matching his all-time totals.

In 2018, McNeil maintained a .329 BA through 63 games, and followed up that performance the following season (his only full season in his young career thus far) by hitting for a career-high .318 BA through 510 qualifying at-bats.

Now, following his third consecutive season with a BA above .310, and with a new season and the best Mets team McNeil has been a part of since his call-up, there is no reason to think his offensive production will not continue into 2021.

Overall, fans should rest easy, sure in the knowledge that McNeil’s elite bat will once again be active in an upgraded lineup as he enters his fourth consecutive season among other notable hitting achievements.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 30: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets in action against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field on July 30, 2020 in New York City. Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Mets 4-2. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 30: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets in action against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field on July 30, 2020 in New York City. Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Mets 4-2. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

As the everyday second baseman (finally), McNeil will win his first Gold Glove

Since being called up to The Show in July of 2018, McNeil has quickly made a name for himself as an outstanding second baseman; playing 52 games at 2B and 1 start at 3B with only 3 errors on record through 476.2 innings at these positions.

While his Outs Above Average (OAA) ranked low in the 36th percentile in 2020, he also played at four different positions. In 2019, McNeil started 24 games at 2B (2 errors in 244.2 innings), 16 games at 3B (1 error in 154.1 innings), and 83 starts in the OF (4 errors in 671.0 innings); all while making spectacular plays at each of these positions.

And last year, McNeil continued to be utilized in a multi-position role by making 9 starts at 2B (0 errors in 68.2 innings), 9 starts at 3B (5 errors in 75.0 innings), 26 starts in LF (0 errors in 215.0 innings), and 4 starts in RF (0 errors in 30.0 innings), totaling 30 starts overall in the outfield (0 errors in 245.0 innings).

By consistently starting at one position, I think it will most likely enable his OAA to improve his overall fielding ability at second base.

Per MLB rules, the criteria for infielders to win a Gold Glove ensures that only full-time players are eligible: “must have played in the field for at least 713 total innings through his team’s 142nd game.”

Last year the 2020 finalists at the keystone were: Adam Frazier (Pittsburg Pirates), Nico Hoerner (Chicago Cubs), and Kolten Wong (St. Louis Cardinals); with Wong winning the honor in both 2019 and 2020. Wong’s OAA ranked in the 82nd percentile, which makes him McNeil’s main competition.

It’s unfortunate that after his stellar debut at the keystone position, Jeff McNeil was forced out of his natural position due to the acquisition of Robinson Cano the offseason after his debut.

However, fans have seen some incredible plays made by Jeff McNeil. And this year, with him back in his natural position, and in a full season, he should finally get his Gold Glove nod.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 20: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on September 20, 2020 in New York City. Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Mets 7-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 20: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on September 20, 2020 in New York City. Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Mets 7-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

With this amount of protection in the lineup, McNeil will reach 100-RBI mark

With 162 games to play this season, this new and improved Mets team should outperform last years’ results over the course of a full season – Spring Training and all. As a result, my biggest and boldest prediction for McNeil this season is that he will hit over 100 RBIs.

Comparable to the elite hitting prowess of a DJ LeMahieu (who hit 102 RBI in 2019), McNeil has both the raw talent and lineup protection to reach this milestone once pitchers and catchers return in April.

McNeil has already established himself as a complete hitter with a career slash line of .319/.383/.454. In his last full season, he played in 133 games, had 510 ABs, 162 hits, 62 XBH, 75 RBIs, and maintained a .318 BA.

With Brandon Nimmo slated to fill the leadoff position (barring any future FA signings by the Mets front office prior to Opening Day), it’s likely McNeil will bat second for most of the season; giving him a prime opportunity to hit with runners in scoring position – and protection in the lineup all around him.

With more protection at the top of the lineup with the additions of Francisco Lindor and James McCann, plus the anticipated power at bats from Dom Smith, Pete Alonso, and Michael Conforto, McNeil’s hot bat will lead him to a 100 RBI season in the process.

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In 2021, fans should expect their Flying Squirrel to once again be a reliable source of elite hitting at the top of a loaded Mets lineup. And you can bet he will dazzle fans with another .310+ BA season, play a stellar second base, and record his first 100 RBI season.

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