Reese Kaplan -- Bud Abbott Would Say, "Who's On Second"

Once again we will bypass the elephant in the room and leave the will he or won’t he soap opera starring David Stearns and Pete Alonso for a resolution.

Today instead let’s look at another position on the diamond where some attention needs to be paid to a possible competition for playing time.  This time around we’re focusing on second base. 

Now if you’re name is not Joe Morgan, most clubs employ a middle infielder more known for his glove or base running speed than in run production.  There are occasional home run barrages like the one time 40 HR season by former manager Davey Johnson, but the more standard second base output is a batting average in the .260s or higher, modest power, great speed and solid defense to pair with the shortstop to turn double plays and tag out would be base runners advancing on hits or stolen base attempts. 

By his history, Jeff McNeil was a second baseman who was more or less in this pattern but with a higher batting average, mid-teens home run power and limited base running speed.  His defense was always competent if not stellar.  People readily tolerated that mix given what he could do when he came to the plate.  We all know he was the National League batting champion in 2022 which was the culmination of his ability to work the counts and use the whole field for his hit ‘em where they ain’t approach to swinging the bat.

Unfortunately, the combination of injuries and downward results on the stat sheet plagued the man in 2023 and 2024.  He still owns a career .289 batting average but during 2023 and 2024 combined that average is a much more pedestrian .257 with 22 HRs and 99 RBIs which would be terrific if that output occurred over one season.  Unfortunately, he was up over 1000 times in those two years to average 11 HRs and 45 RBIs.  With the mediocre batting average, just single digit stolen bases and his movement to a more often outfielder than infielder, much of the luster has come off his championship mantle.

Even more of a concern is the attitude he exhibits in the dugout and in the locker room.  It’s fine to be explosive and have insurmountable will to win if you pair it with results.  Unfortunately the past two seasons that has not happened.  So you have the me-first attitude without the good side.  As he turns 33 for the 2025 season there may still be some gas in the tank but when he comes to the plate no longer do fans and media types pat one another on the back because they know something good is going to happen.

There are three younger players who could theoretically slot in at second base if the Mets feel that the $15 million man’s better days are indeed behind him.  Two of them are quite obvious in Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio.  The third one is a bit of a wildcard in the what-do-we-do-with Brett Baty.  Let’s have a look.

In his brief trial in September when Francisco Lindor went down with injury, Acuna showed solid defense, amazing base running speed and a more productive bat than played in Syracuse.  He followed that up with nearly MVP caliber offense in the Winter League, so people are beginning to wonder what level of productivity could Acuna produce if he played every day.  For one good measure, McNeil has 37 stolen bases for his entire career.  Acuna had 40 last year alone.  He’d also be a good substitute for Lindor if he needed a day off or unfortunately fought off illness or injury.

Somewhat forgotten due to missing the entire 2024 season is Ronny Mauricio.  He came up as a shortstop as well.  All the way back in 2023 he finished the season with a .292 average, 23 home runs and 23 stolen bases.  He has a rocket for an arm which many profile as better suited for third base than second base, but with Mark Vientos currently entrenched there, Mauricio would be glad to play wherever needed.  The concern about Mauricio is how much the injury affected his speed and how much rust needs to get shaken off to see if he had a 2023 breakthrough or if he is more of a mid .260s type of hitter as he’d shown earlier in his minor league career.

Finally, there’s the baseball mystery man, Brett Baty.  While formerly the top of the prospect heap for the New York Mets, Baty has not done well at all after hot spring performances each time the Mets gave him a shot coming north from Port St. Lucie.  Last season Baty had added an unexpected wrinkle to his performance resume.  The batting average dipped several points but that corresponded with a major increase in home run power.  For the year he hit just .252 but knocked 16 HRs and drove in 45 runs in just 238 ABs.  Extrapolated over a full season you’re looking at a 30/90 type of player who at second base would be a star.  The left handed hitting Baty has played mostly third base during his minor and major league career, but with Vientos’s 2024 performance Baty may have to look elsewhere.  For now he has 230 games at 3B with just 27 at 2B, but if he sees playing second is his now route to the majors you can bet he’ll be asking to play there regularly. 

The question for David Stearns and the rest of the front office is whether one of these would-be major leaguers or veteran Jeff McNeil is the best answer for second base.  Stearns was not here when McNeil was starring for the club nor was he here when any of these minor leaguers came on board.  From a loyalty perspective none would seem to have an edge, but if the club is serious about becoming perennial contenders then it might make sense to find some lower priced talent to fill in at second while reserving payroll dollars for other positions of need. 

What do you all think?