Tom Brennan: 2018 METS MINORS DARK HORSE JEFF MCNEIL
Some assets are undervalued for a variety or reasons.
Jeff McNeil, due to major injuries (a double sports hernia, and a torn labrum, too), had 2 straight bad seasons in 2016 and 2017 - bad because he only managed to be healthy enough to put together 188 at bats (176 of those in 2017, and 163 of those after July 8 last year). Stock analysts did not hesitate to downgrade him as damaged goods.
His was a rising stock going into 2016, that I thought would have him as a September 2016 call up had he not been hurt.
Nonetheless, he ended the 2017 season in AAA Las Vegas, and in those 188 at bats over the past 2 years, he hit .293/.353/.442, quite good considering the injuries (and rust) he had to deal with.
Before 2016, he hit .329 in his rookie league debut in 2013, .292 across two levels of A ball in 2014, and .308 in 2015.
In his career, he is 49 of 64 in steals over the equivalent of 2 full major league season at bats. So he is reasonably swift - catch him if you can.
In 2013-15, he was pretty skinny, and his biggest knock was a lack of power. Good players address weaknesses,
He addressed his by beefing up 30 pounds to 195 on his 6'0" frame.
But can he field? Yes, defensively, he has been solid, and well diversified, at multiple positions - 142 games at 2nd, 139 at 3rd, 34 at shortstop, and 6 in the outfield.
So, is McNeil another Danny Muno borderline talent guy, or something more? I think something more - he realized he needed to add power and beefed up, and with that, I think he'd make a pretty ideal MLB utility player once he proves his injury woes are truly behind him and he tears through Las Vegas in 2018, as I expect him to.
I would, in fact, not be surprised to see him outplay Gavin Cecchini and Matt Reynolds in 2018. Just a gut feeling.
After all, some companies report great results in the quarter following that bad one, and their value soars once again.
He may be a Dark Horse now, but I think the McNeil Utility Conglomerate (symbol JMN) is in fact set to soar. Invest in that utility stock while you can.
7 comments:
Off topic, but Jake deGrom has said his goals in 2018 are NL Cy Young and World Series. Nice.
I like Jeff McNeil. I ready do.
But there just may be too many obstacles in his way to make it to Flushing as a regular playing infielder.
Not only are there other minor leagues to deal with... Luis Guillorme, (technically) T.J. Rivera, Matt Reynolds, David Thompson, Phillip Evens), but there seems to be a revised tendency to fill Queens with veterans instead of guppies.
McNeil's future in this game might be best served as a chip in a package.
Mack, you may be right - Jeff has to show up healthy and play great, and see how things shake out. Those last 2 years made him a darker horse than he was prior to that.
By the way, saw an article where Tebow said he loves to prove people wrong, Mack :)
I'd love to prove Madonna wrong.
(long story...)
Off topic, but the NY Post is reporting that Bud Harrelson has Alzheimer's.
Very sad
Prayers for Buddy.
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