2 Mets players who have redeemed themselves, 1 player still with something to prove

Jeff McNeil batting at Citi Field on May 15, 2022
Jeff McNeil batting at Citi Field on May 15, 2022 | Mike Stobe/GettyImages
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The 2022 New York Mets have seen their fair share of redemption stories as they have raced out to the best record in the National League at 41-23.

But anytime the Mets have a number in the loss column, there is always something to prove, especially in an era where everything in someone's game can be scrutinized using video.

But there are two Mets that have redeemed themselves following rough 2021 seasons, while one Met still has someone still with something to prove.

Mets infielder Jeff McNeil has reverted to the hit machine we all thought he was.

Jeff McNeil was the subject of many trade rumors during the offseason following a rough 2021 campaign that saw him hit just .251 a year after three straight seasons of batting over .310.

So McNeil entered 2022 in what was his most critical season to date because of his underachieving season last year. And he has been excellent, as he is on pace for a 5.1 WAR season, is second in the National League with his .324 batting average and already has 23 multi-hit games in 60 appearances.

Buck Showalter has utilized him in a lot of different areas both in the batting order and on the field. McNeil has batted in six of the positions in the lineup from leadoff to eighth, most frequently batting fifth to protect Pete Alonso in the lineup and eighth to lengthen the lineup. His defense at second base and left field has been very good as well.

The Mets needed a dude who could bat over .300 in the lineup at will and get on base to apply pressure on the opposing pitcher. That’s exactly what McNeil brings to the lineup and is one of the reasons the Mets lead the majors in team batting average, on base percentage and runs scored.

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