Flushing– The 2024 Major League Baseball season is officially heading into the dog days of summer. The National League Wild card race is heating up with five teams less than two games from each other, and the Mets head out of the break three games over .500. It has been a whirlwind of emotions from starting the season with five straight losses, a 9-19 record in May, and rattling off 25 wins in the last month and a half prior to the all-star break. After the first half of the regular season here is each grade per positional group.
Starting Pitching: B–
Heading into the season the starting rotation for the Mets was questionable. Luis Severino and Sean Manaea are on one year deals, Kodai Senga was expected to miss significant time, Jose Quintana had to prove he can be a reliable left-handed option, and injuries have plagued the back-end of the rotation. With that being said the Mets had one of the best ERAs to start the season despite a brutal record, and have ended the first half of the season on a high note. With Francisco Alvarez back behind the dish the starting pitching has flourished. Without him catching the pitching staff has above a 4.50 ERA and with him is below 3.00. The front office has different options ahead of the trade deadline to potentially move different pitchers around, but as of this moment the rotation has certainly over-achieved in spots so far this year.
Bullpen: D
It is no secret that the Mets bullpen needs some upgrading, and David Stearns has already added an arm in Phil Maton before the break. It has been a rotating carousel in the ‘pen since the start of the season, trying to figure out who is best fit. Jose Butto who originally started the season on the starting rotation has seen significant appearances since being called up, Dedniel Nunez has been excellent in his relief appearances, and Edwin Diaz is slowly but surely forming back into an elite closer. However with the likes of Adam Ottavino, Jake Diekman, Adrian Houser, and multiple injuries it has been a struggle for Carlos Mendoza who has had to overuse different relievers to float around.
Catchers: A
Since the acquisition of Luis Torrens and the return of Francisco Alvarez the Mets have had a different swagger to them. Each of the two have unique attributes to their game that has contributed to the Mets success. One of the biggest struggles the Mets have always faced is limiting stolen bases and Luis Torrens has been that missing piece. Over the 13 games he has started for the Mets he has thrown out 8 of the last 11 base runners attempting to steal, and saved a win with a game ending double play against the Phillies in London. On the other hand Alvarez has been clutch at the plate all year, and has provided a spark of confidence in the starting rotation since his return from injury.
Infielders: B
Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos have led the charge offensively over the course of the Mets latest stretch of games, but another in season acquisition has evolved into a key missing piece. Jose Iglesias provides another veteran presence in the clubhouse, and ultimately has saved the Mets from a hole at second base. Since being called up from Triple-A Iglesias is slashing .380/.417/.582/.999 with 16 RBIs to add on top. It is no question that Jeff McNeil has been struggling, but with the acquisition of Iglesias the Mets have a reliable infielder to come off the bench, and get the start at second against left handed pitching.
Outfielders: B-
Much like Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo has found a groove and has continuously come up clutch throughout the course of this season. He currently leads the team with 63 RBIs and is third in home runs with 16, and has the fifth highest OPS out of all National League outfielders. Another player on a one-year deal that has been great defensively for the Mets is Harrison Bader. He is among the top in the league in fielding run value and range, with great numbers at the plate with runners in scoring position. He is slashing .345/.406/.414/.820 with runners in scoring position with two outs along with 11 RBIs in that category.
Designated Hitter: B+
Despite the slump the last two weeks J.D. Martinez is as advertised. Since he has made his Mets debut Martinez has continued to show why he is a professional hitter, with clutch at bats late in games. Martinez has been one of the most consistent hitters in the lineup with runners in scoring position slashing .297/.395/.568/.963 with 30 RBIs. Another spot in the Mets lineup that has been desperate for production and Martinez has delivered so far this season.