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Mets: Three J.D. Davis predictions for the 2021 season

By James Richards |
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 01: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets in the third inning against the Miami Marlins in a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 01, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 01: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets in the third inning against the Miami Marlins in a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 01, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 20: J.D. Davis #28 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: J.D. Davis #28 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) /

After an offseason full of trade rumors, J.D. Davis appears to be set as the New York Mets starting third baseman heading into the 2021 season.

Originally drafted by the Houston Astros, Davis was traded to the New York Mets prior to the 2019 season, where he quickly became a fixture in the team’s lineup, splitting time between third base and left field.

Since joining the Mets, Davis has quickly built up a reputation for himself as a hot bat and someone who knows how to get on base, with an OBP of .370 over his two years in New York.

While he has a lot of offensive prowess, Davis has been an average defender as part of the infield, but still, Davis is early on in his career and has plenty of room to improve.

Heading into his third year with the Mets and with a full season ahead of him, 2021 is set to be a make or break year for Davis, with an opportunity for him to become a mainstay in New York.

With a world of talent and potential coming into the year, here are three predictions for Davis with the Mets in 2021.

J.D. Davis will start over 120 games at third base for the Mets

Davis starting 120 games at third base would not just be a big milestone for himself, but for the Mets as a team as well.

The last Met to start over 120 games at third base in a single season was David Wright in 2014, who manned 133 games total at the position.

After Wright, the only player to come close to breaking the 120-mark was Todd Frazier, who appeared in 109 games at third during the 2018 season.

Davis reaching this feat would signal several big things for both himself and the Mets as a team.

Firstly, for Davis to play 120 games at third would mean that his defense has improved to the point the Mets are comfortable playing him there consistently as opposed to other members of the roster, such as Jeff McNeil or Johnathan Villar.

Secondly, it would also signal that Davis’ offensive production has continued giving the Mets a good reason to keep him in the lineup.

And lastly, for Davis to start this many games means the Mets have finally found a consistent hand a third, after several seasons of the position being a revolving door for New York.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 20: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets runs the bases after his second inning two run home run against the Cleveland Indians at Citi Field on August 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 20: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets runs the bases after his second inning two run home run against the Cleveland Indians at Citi Field on August 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

J.D. Davis will break his personal home run record

In the event Davis does start 120 games at third for the Mets, it would stand to reason he should also be able to break his personal home run record of 22 home runs.

Traditionally, a team’s third baseman should be one of the most reliable power bats in a lineup, and Davis has shown in the past that he is more than capable of hitting the long ball.

In 2021 is truly going to be his breakout year, then smashing his previous milestone would go a long way in solidifying it.

Previously, Davis set his current record during the 2019 season in his first year as a member of the New York Mets, where he appeared in a career-high 140 games.

Davis only started a grand total of 99 games in the lineup that year, so if he were to start in 120+, then he stands a good chance of breaking his record.

Consistent at-bats in addition to an increased amount should result in Davis getting into a good rhythm, giving him a good chance of slugging at least 23 home runs to set a new personal record for himself.

As per his 2019 totals, JD hit a home run roughly every 18 at-bats. If he performs at that same pace in 2021, if he hits at least 500 at-bats, then Davis should break his record with ease, something all Mets fans would be grateful for.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 19: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets makes the throw to first base during the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 19, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 19: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets makes the throw to first base during the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 19, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

J.D. Davis will be selected to the All-Star Game

In the event Davis reaches the two previously mentioned feats in 2021, on top of his consistently high career OBP, JD stands a good chance of being selected to the All-Star Game.

If this were to happen, it would be the first All-Star selection for Davis for his career, which to any player is a great notch on his belt.

While the All-Star game itself is mainly a symbolic game and players are voted on by fans, for Davis to be selected would signal that he has risen to the point of being recognized as one of the top third basemen in the league.

Not only that, he’d be the first third baseman from the Mets since David Wright 2013, breaking an 8-year drought for the Mets at that position.

On top of that, if Davis were to earn a selection, in addition to Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor rounding out the Mets’ infield, all four of their starting infielders would be former (or hopefully current) All-Stars.

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In the hunt for October and a hopeful World Series victory, if Davis seizes his opportunity in 2021 and reaches his potential, the Mets should have a real asset in him for years to come.

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