New York Mets: Jeff McNeil trying to become 2nd baseman of the future

As New York Mets fans look for hope in the team’s future, Jeff McNeil is providing a bright spot.

Jeff McNeil was not a prospect many New York Mets fans had on their radar entering the 2018 season. Even as the season began to unfold, minor league first baseman Peter Alonso garnered most of the headlines about his potential for the Orange & Blue.

Yet, with about 50 games left in their season, the Mets may have found their diamond in the rough with McNeil.

The infielder has started his major league career off with a bang. Over his first two weeks in the big leagues, McNeil is batting .364 with 2 home runs and an OPS of 1.068.

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Granted, this is a small sample size. Also, Mets fans need to be cautious of that sort of thing, as the team that started 11-1 has taught us.

Nonetheless, there is definitely a reason for Mets fans to have hope that McNeil can be their long-term second baseman.

For starters, McNeil dealt with injuries in the minor leagues that cost him nearly two full seasons as a professional. McNeil seems to finally be past those and is clearly reaching the potential he always had within him.

So, his approach to hitting seems to be one that can play in the major leagues. It’s the little things like getting Rosario to third base on a ground ball to the right side on Sunday, leading to a first inning run, that can define him as a hitter.

The Mets have seemed to lack those types of productive outs in recent years. McNeil provides that level of baseball IQ when at the plate.

McNeil’s clear comfort and profile of being a No. 2 hitter also bodes well for his chances of sticking with the Mets. One of the Mets biggest problems the last couple years has been their lack of a continuity in their offense.

McNeil can provide a stability in the two-hole that can help be the impetus to extending the lineup, something the Mets have put by the wayside with their homer or bust mentality.

With the Mets deciding not to fully sell at the trade deadline, the team needs prospects like McNeil and Alonso to excel in the major leagues if they have any hope of competing in the near future.

McNeil’s first two weeks seem to suggest that he is looking to hold down the second base position for the Mets for years to come.