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2023 Mets midseason grades: Position players

ByJohn Flynn|
Francisco Alvarez has given the Mets a huge lift from the catcher position, where they struggled so much last year offensively.
Francisco Alvarez has given the Mets a huge lift from the catcher position, where they struggled so much last year offensively. | Al Bello/GettyImages
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2B Jeff McNeil - 2023 Mets position player first half grade

1st Half Stats: 362 PA, .253/.331/.328, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 84 OPS+, 81 hits, 10 HBP

Jeff McNeil has followed his batting title season with a campaign similar to that of 2021, where he struggled mightily, especially in June. McNeil has gotten under a lot of pitches during his slump, which has led to a lot of pop outs and unproductive outs in big situations this year. He is batting just .139 in late and close situations this season as a result of his approach, which is second worst on the team to Brett Baty (.120).

McNeil and hitting coach Jeremy Barnes will need to work on mechanical adjustments in his swing during the break if McNeil can salvage something out of what is a lost season so far.

Grade: C-

1B Pete Alonso - 2023 Mets position player first half grade

1st Half Stats: 348 PA, .211/.310/.497, 26 HR, 61 RBI, 119 OPS+, 11.7 AB/HR

Pete Alonso's first half was an interesting one to say the least, as his 26 homers rank 2nd in the NL and earned him a spot in the All-Star Game this week despite his batting average checking in 60 points below his mark last year. He remains one of the most feared power hitters in the game, and if he can do a better job at handling fastballs, he can revert back to being more than just a home run hitter like he was last year. Alonso's strikeout rate is up and walk rate is down slightly, and we need to see both improve if the Mets make a miraculous run into the playoffs.

Grade: B

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