2 biggest NY Mets winners, 2 biggest losers of the first half

Mets loser: The young players trying to stick on the major league roster

No group has disappointed fans more than the youngsters trying to break out as MLB regulars. Bullpens are prone to implosion. Part-time veterans have to be average to please the average person.

We went into this season expecting a lot from the Baby Mets and Luisangel Acuna who came in the most recent wave of prospects. All five of Acuna, Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos have received significant playing time. Each one with minor league options has spent time in Triple-A. You better believe if Vientos had minor league options remaining he might be on the bubble for a demotion as well.

A stagnant Alvarez and collapsed Vientos has been the worst of it. Baty has actually played closer to acceptable while Mauricio continues to show flashes of his upside. Then there’s Acuna who feels useful but not a major league starter.

Across the board, all five of these young position players have let us down. It’s outrageous considering what expectations have looked like for them.

Will any of these five light up in the second half? The Fab Four could use the help. There is a vacancy at third base and even regular playing time at second base as well as the DH spot. It’s almost as if no one wants to be the answer.