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The New York Mets have high expectations heading into the 2022 MLB season. The roster is filled with star players such as Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Starling Marte. It is pretty easy to say that those three will put together solid seasons, but these other three Mets must step up this season if New York wants to contend for a championship.
Mets 1st basemen, Dominic Smith
After a terrific 2020 season, Mets fans were excited to see what Dominic Smith had in store for 2021. Unfortunately 26-year-old left fielder struggled greatly last season, which was a common theme for most players on the Mets.
The potential of the big left handed swinger is unquestioned. Smith was a highly coveted prospect for many years in the New York's farm system. In 2020 he showed fans that he is capable of being one of the top hitters in the league when he is on top of his game, as he finished 13th in MVP voting that season. His total numbers in 2020 were eye opening, as he finished with a .313 BA, along with 42 RBI's (10th in MLB).
Dominic Smith just ripped a 104-mph single off Jesús Aguilar's glove, which made it count as a fair ball and a go-ahead RBI hit.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 3, 2021
Mets 4, Marlins 3, bottom seven. pic.twitter.com/6kshMxe0DJ
Now that the NL can use a DH, Smith can focus on If the Mets can get the best version of Dominic Smith, then the path to contending for a championship will become much more likely.
Mets catcher, James McCann
Mets fans were very excited when the front office decided to sign all-star catcher, James McCann to a four year deal. In 2019 and 2020, the 31-year-old was one of the top hitting catchers in baseball.
In his first season in New York, the starting catcher struggled to stay consistent, as he finished with a .239 BA. The Mets simply need more out of McCann in 2022, as he has shown he is capable of playing at an all-star level.
Mets sarting pitcher, Taijuan Walker
The Mets got a lot out of the 29-year-old pitcher throughout the first half of 2021. In his first season in New York he was selected to the NL All-Star team for his stellar first half of the season. Fans were very surprised to see Walker's second half falloff, as he finished last season with a 4.47 ERA.
Taijuan Walker exits to a standing ovation from the Citi Field crowd after 7.1 scoreless innings and only surrendering 2 hits pic.twitter.com/XCfdhg85VA
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 30, 2021
The Mets can likely expect deGrom, Scherzer and Bassitt to give the team valuable innings. With that being said, New York knows the type of pitcher Walker is capable of being, as in the first half of last season he was one of the best pitchers in baseball. If he can pitch the way he did in the first half of last season, the Mets will have one of the most dominant rotations in baseball.