Tom Brennan - Francisco Lindor, Mets Shortstop RBI Machine

So many people on Facebook were ragging on Francisco Lindor - essentially:

"Look at the batting average.  He's making that much to hit like THIS?" 

But then I see that Francisco Lindor, through Friday's game, and despite the fractured fingertip accident, has 56 RBIs.

Heck, that surprises me, too.  I was not expecting him to turn into an RBI Machine. 

He has 14 in 20 June games despite a .213 June average, indicative of his playing through discomfort with the finger (which might have put someone else on the IL), with 3 homers and 11 of those RBIs in his last 7 games, showing he has largely recovered from that freak injury from June 2.

The only shortstop who really produced major RBIs as a Met was Howard Johnson, who had 4 or the Mets' top 50 ever RBI seasons (90 up to 117). Problem was, Hojo wasn't a shortstop in those seasons, having already switched to third base.

Jose Reyes had 81 once and 78 once - of course, in fairness to Jose, he was a lead-off hitter and lead-off hitters don't get as many RBIs as guys in the 3 hole, where Lindor hits. I'd imagine Jose would have driven in around 100 once or twice, had he been in the 3 hole.

But 56 Lindor RBIs in the team's first 72 games is amazing.  Since 72 games is .444444 of a season, he projects out currently to 126 RBIs.

I'd take 126 RBIs from our shortstop, wouldn't you?

Especially when you consider the current team RBI record in 124, shared by Mike Piazza and David Wright.

Just remember one thing - 126 RBIs from a shortstop is not a Mets occurrence by any means:

The fondly remembered Buddy Harrelson had a career high 42 RBIs, with 32 RBIs being his only other season above 30.  He'd have to drive in 42 runs 3 times to get to 126.

Rey Ordonez?   He snuck 60 RBIs in one season, with 3 others in the low 40s.

Roy McMillan had 79 RBIs as a Mets shortstop - but it took him 346 games to get there.

And Reese's favorite?  The Sandwich, Ruben Tejada, never got above 36 RBIs.

Asdrubal Cabrera did have 62 one year at SS for the Mets - but Lindor is almost there already, with 90 games in this season left to go.

So, appreciate this Lindor slugging at shortstop - in the Mets history, it is entirely unprecedented. 

It helps to have Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte hitting in front of you, no doubt, but kudos to Lindor - he still has to drive those puppies in.   Keep driving, Francisco.

METS WIN!

2 solo homers by our resident 1B behemoth, top of the order was cooking, Bassett 7 solid for the W, and Miracle Man Diaz picked up another save with 3 straight Ks.  Man against boys.

MINORS MEANDERINGS

BINGHAMTON:

Won 11-0.  Not nearly ready Alvarez has a HR (17) and 2 more hits, Mauricio clocked his 13th, drove in 3 (46) and has not conceded that Lindor will have more 2022 RBIs.  McIlwain a couple of hits, Kisena and Griffin combine on a shutout.  Nice.

SYRACUSE:

Blankenhorn homered and is currently torrid and terrific. 5-4 win.

BROOKLYN: Bryant with 6 solid for the W.  Rudick and Murphy drove in 2 each.  6-2 win.

ST LUCIE: Lost in the 9th, 7-6.  Consuegra and SS Lugo had 2 hits.  Lugo (.258) is within 22 points of Alex Ramirez (.280).  Junior had a hit and a walk.

HAPPY SUNDAY!  METS SERIES SWEEP STARTS AT NOON.

One start after his near no hitter, Cole and Yanks got no hit by the Astros.  Yanks are suddenly offensively inept.  Braves won, Phils winning as I sign off.

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