Way back on Sept. 6, in a game that feels like it was two seasons ago for the Mets given what they’ve accomplished since, Jeff McNeil was hit in the right wrist by a pitch thrown by Brandon Williamson of the Reds.
The pitch was a curve ball, and nothing seemed ominous right after McNeil was hit. He played defense during the next half inning and then came out of the game.
But it was revealed the next day that McNeil had suffered a small fracture in his wrist. And that his regular season was over.
At the time, the Mets were still fighting for a Wild Card spot. And while hope was there that McNeil could return in the playoffs if New York made a deep run, that potential return was something way off on the horizon.
Now, with the Mets in the NLCS after thrilling playoff series wins over the Brewers and Phillies, McNeil is likely going to be back.
If all goes well when McNeil plays two games in the Arizona Fall League on Friday and Saturday, he should be set to rejoin the team for Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday in either Los Angeles or San Diego.
How ready McNeil might be for a big workload — and how the Mets plan to use him — remains to be seen. But his versatility could be an enormous boon.
McNeil scuffled at the plate for most of the season, but he was on an absolute tear for a month and a half before his injury.
From July 23 to Sept. 6 — a span of 136 plate appearances over 37 games — McNeil slashed .285/.382/.491 (.874 OPS) with 12 doubles, four homers, 14 RBI, and 19 runs scored.
And if McNeil is that kind of hitter during the NLCS (and potentially beyond), the Mets could be getting a real X-factor.
Here’s how they can potentially utilize McNeil…
At second base
The vibes have been immaculate with Jose Iglesias, and he’s recently been hitting fifth — providing protection for Pete Alonso.
But Iglesias’ production has dipped a bit in the postseason. He has six hits in 29 at-bats, along with one walk, and does not have an extra-base hit.
Iglesias also had stark righty-lefty splits during the regular season when it came to his extra-base hit ability.
Against left-handed pitchers, he was a menace, slashing .402/.455/.544.
Against righties, he still got on base at a strong clip, but the power suffered as he hit .303/.342/.399.
Iglesias also offers sparkling defense, and has created a dynamic up-the-middle combination with Francisco Lindor.
So it’s fair to expect the Mets to continue rolling Iglesias out there as the regular second baseman. But an intriguing option exists with McNeil if Iglesias goes cold.
As a corner outfielder
Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte will be starting every game, leaving the Mets a decision to make each day between Jesse Winker, Tyrone Taylor, Harrison Bader, and McNeil when it comes to the second corner outfield spot.
In the NLCS, the Mets went defense first in center field, using Taylor. They would then go for even more defense late in games, subbing Bader in center and sliding Taylor to a corner.
If the Mets want to go offense heavy — especially if J.D. Martinez continues to struggle — they could use a lineup that features Winker as the DH and McNeil in one of the corner outfield spots. Doing that would force Nimmo to center field — a spot he played 28 times during the regular season (22 starts).
Martinez has really been going through it. He has four hits over the six playoff games he’s been in, and is slugging just .286. His cold snap power-wise dates back to Aug. 27, with him hitting just one home run since then.
As a late-inning bench bat
If the Mets don’t want to upset the apple cart when it comes to lineup construction, McNeil could still make a big impact as a bat off the bench.
Their primary bench in the NLDS consisted of Luis Torrens (who went unused because he’s the backup catcher), Luisangel Acuña (who was used as a late-inning defensive replacement at second base), Bader, and whoever didn’t DH between Martinez and Winker.
None of the above players have the ability to play both the infield and outfield. McNeil, of course, does.
That could make him not only a strong option to pinch-hit late in games, but someone whose ability to play second base, third base, and both corner outfield spots would allow Carlos Mendoza to fit him in for the remainder of the game.
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In order to fit McNeil on the NLCS roster, it’s fair to believe the Mets will either drop Acuña or go from 13 pitchers to 12.
And this goes without saying, but McNeil will also offer the Mets serious insurance if the team suffers an injury — whether it’s something that’s brief or more long term.
No matter what, McNeil’s expected inclusion on the roster will be big.
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