SAVAGE VIEWS – Too Early Predictions Batters

 

March 18, 2021

Last week, I posted my predictions on how well the Mets pitchers would fare in 2021 on the way to a 93 win campaign.  For one of the few times in my almost 60 years of following this team I am reasonably optimistic that we have assembled a group of hitters that can compete with anyone.  I believe the Mets are capable of scoring between 825-850 runs this season.  Here are my predictions for our 2021 lineup.

Brandon Nimmo leading off.  I would be surprised if he starts more than 120 games this year, especially with Kevin Pillar as an adequate backup who would most likely start against most lefties.  Nimmo will likely continue to get on base at a .400 clip while batting around .270 with 15 home-runs and 60 RBIs.  Pillar will complement Nimmo with 12 HRs and 45 RBIs.

Jeff McNeil is the ideal number two hitter who can be expected to get on base and serve as a table-setter for the rest of the lineup. I have ambivalent feelings toward McNeil.  I’m afraid that Rojas will bat him lower in the lineup which will make him less effective.  If left in the two hole I expect Jeff will produce a BA of around .320 with 22 HRs and 75 RBIs.

Francisco Lindor is the fellow I want batting third.  If Nimmo and McNeil produce as expected, Lindor should have one heck of a year. His BA around .290 with 32 HRs and 110 RBIs.  Could be a candidate for MVP.

Pete Alonso is my clean-up guy.  Last year he had a terrible spring and it carried forward into the season.  He looks like a different player this year – more confident and more focused.  I expect a .260 BA with 42 HRs and 120 RBIs.

Michael Conforto batting fifth.  He has quietly become one of the better players in the game and I hope he is signed to a long-term contract soon.  I see Conforto building on a successful 2020 season.  Project a .315 BA with 32 Hrs and 95 RBIs.

JD Davis would bat sixth.  To be honest, I have no idea what to expect from Davis.  Will his bat compensate for his weak defense?  I see him sharing third base with Luis Guillorme.  My projections for Davis are a rather pedestrian .250 BA with 16 HRS and 55 RBIs.

Dom Smith is my number hitter although he might wind up batting anywhere between four and six on any given day.  His bat will be productive and his BA will be around .300 with 25 HRS and 90 RBIs.

James McCann/ Tomas Nido will be the number eight batters in this powerful lineup.   I expect McCann to catch about 75% of the games with Nido the other 25%.   My projection is they combine for 25 HRS and 80 RBIs.  Their numbers suffer due to the absence of a DH and batting in front weak hitting pitchers.

This is a very powerful lineup bolstered by a strong bench that could reasonably project us to average 5.25 runs per game.  All this assumes we remain healthy as a team.  There will be players lost to injuries during the season.  However, I believe we have enough depth to survive.

It’s going to be interesting to see how close my projections cone to reality.

Ray