5 players who deserve a B grade for 2022

4) Brandon Nimmo had arguably his best all-around season in the big leagues in 2022.

The lefty played in 151 games, just the second time in his career he’s played 140 or more (the other time being 2018). He amassed a career-high 673 plate appearances and 580 at-bats. He slashed .274/.367/.433/.800 and hit 16 homers, led the NL with seven triples, and 30 doubles. He scored 102 runs and drove in 64. His OPS+ was 130. None of those numbers are eye-popping, but they are solid all around.

Nimmo didn’t have the .400+ on-base percentage that we’re used to seeing from him, but he still got on base a lot. His walk rate was in the 78th percentile, and his strikeout numbers were all great (90th percentile in chase rate, 80th percentile in whiff rate, 76th percentile in strikeout rate).

Nimmo’s largest strides came in center field (literally and figuratively). As recently as 2020, Nimmo was known as a well-below-average fielder due to his lack of range and weak throwing arm. He had a -4 Outs Above Average in 2020, but quickly turned it to a +3 in 2021. He improved even more this year, doubling his OAA to +6, which was in the 91st percentile.

I would love to see Nimmo sign an extension and play center field for the Mets going forward. He’s one of the most important guys on the roster in my opinion, because he does so many things well. Other teams will target him too for that reason, so hopefully Steve Cohen and Billy Eppler act fast and lock him up.