2023 Mets midseason grades: Position players

OF Starling Marte - 2023 Mets position player first half grade

1st Half Stats: 326 PA, .256/.309/.336, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 79 OPS+, 23 SB

Starling Marte has not been the money player he was last year. He's had two small stretches of success, one in early April, and one in early-to-mid June, but he's been a liability everywhere else in the first half. His plate discipline has been poor, the hustle and heart are not as prevalent, and his defense has not been where it was at times last year. However, he does have 23 stolen bases, which ranks third in the National League.

Grade: C-

OF Mark Canha - 2023 Mets position player first half grade

1st Half Stats: 255 PA, .245/.345/.403, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 107 OPS+, .400 AVG w/2 out & RISP

Like some of the other hitters in this lineup, Mark Canha's bat didn't start heating up until the calendar changed, and he's delivered some great moments for this team. His good stretch started with his continued torture of Phillies' pitching in late May and early June, and it was capped by that game-winning triple in Arizona in the ninth inning of a game last week. He's shown again in the first half why he's a professional with a high IQ who play the game the right way. He is liked by the fans a lot, and his play on the field is a reflection of that.

Grade: B

3B Brett Baty - 2023 Mets position player first half grade

1st Half Stats: 234 PA, .244/.315/.354, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 86 OPS+, .322 BABIP

There have been many top prospects that made the majors that have wowed fans relentlessly this season. Brett Baty, however, was not one of them in the first half. He also seems to get a little anxious in big situations, as he's batting just .120 in late and close situations. However, one thing that does impress fans about him is that when he makes contact, it's hard contact. The problem is that he strikes out in 26.5 percent of his plate appearances.

Grade: C+