Jeff went .279/.371/.623 in 16 April games.
The grand entrance of a new and significantly upgraded power game for the Squirrel was becoming clear.
The grand entrance of a new and significantly upgraded power game for the Squirrel was becoming clear.
Pete, meanwhile, went a resounding .408/.505/.776 in 21 April games.
In May, Jeff got even hotter, while Pete cooled, to slightly less immortal, but still fine levels.
By Memorial Day 2018, everyone in Mets fandom had to be starting to ask themselves: exactly how good are these guys going to actually be?
But, as the Mets floundered in May and June 2018, I wasn't a doubter - I was a shouter:
There were still doubters.
How will they do in AAA?
How is that big fella's fielding, anyway?
But, as the Mets floundered in May and June 2018, I wasn't a doubter - I was a shouter:
"GET THEM THE HECK UP HERE! PRONTO!"
So, you doubters and shouters, when we fast forward to the end of 2019, you get your overwhelming answer:
EXTREMELY, UNBELIEVABLY, INCREDIBLY GOOD.
We all know now that Pete hit 53 homers in 2019 and Jeff was in the running for the batting title.
But to view their impact a different way, let's average them out - do that, and we truly get two terrific All Stars:
147 games, 553 at bats, 34 doubles, 37 HRs, 93 runs scored, 98 RBIs, .289, .550 slug, and .370 OBP.
THOSE ARE DAVID WRIGHT IN HIS PRIME #'S.
HECK, THEY'RE MICKEY MANTLE IN HIS PRIME #'S.
Heckuva gift to the Mets from 2 these young guys, who were either a 2019 rookie (Pete) or hardly past eligibility to be a 2019 rookie (Jeff).
Sometimes, one year can make a heckuva difference.
Like Dwight Gooden in the minors in 1983, then exploding on the MLB baseball scene in 1984.
Like Dwight Gooden in the minors in 1983, then exploding on the MLB baseball scene in 1984.
Maybe, just maybe, when we compare Pete and Jeff's 2020's results to 2019, we can conclude that they were as, or even more:
EXTREMELY, UNBELIEVABLY, INCREDIBLY GOOD.
OR EVEN BETTER.
The problem for McNeil is no one is sure where he will play. If Davis and Conforto get two of the three outfield positions, and Cano/Lowrie get the infield, what's a poor .319 career hitter to do?
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of 2019 players that came out of nowhere, Justin Wilson and J.D. Davis always make my list next to McNeil and Alonso.
ReplyDeleteNice to have homegrown talent (other then pitchers) that produce on the big stage.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that Amed Rosario is the next youngster to make the quantum leap to stardom. That and a fully
healthy season for Brandon Nimmo and you have two more pieces to add to the puzzle, IMO.
Lowrie isn't playing over McNeil... I expect him to be playing pretty much every day. Probably at 3rd mostly with some occasional time in OF or 2B.
ReplyDeleteIf Lowrie plays over McNeil that would be crazy. Almost as crazy as Cano moving McNeil off second. Now Cano is helping pick the next manager. Gets better everyday.
ReplyDeleteMcNeil has earned his "play every day" stripes. Just watch those HBPs.
ReplyDeletePete II will be better than Terminator II. Before every at bat, he should put on a German accent and yell out to the pitcher, "Are you John Connor?" Scare the crap out of them even more.