Top Candidates to Enjoy Breakout Seasons for Mets in 2015

In order for the New York Mets to become legitimate postseason contenders in 2015, they will need to win more than the 79 games they won in 2014. They will need a lot of players to step up and have great seasons.

While the veterans will be expected to either bounce back from underachieving seasons or continue to produce well, there are a few younger players on the Mets who could really help the team if they put together breakout seasons.

Here are three Mets hitters who are the team's best candidates to have breakout seasons.

C Travis d'Arnaud

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

2014 Statistics: .242/.302/.416, 22 2B, 13 HR, 41 RBI, 32 BB, 48 R, 1 SB

Travis d'Arnaud's rookie season last year got off to a slow start, but he hit a lot better in the second half to become arguably one of the top rookie hitters in the National League.

If d'Arnaud can build off his stronger second half last year and have a more consistent season this year, he is probably the Mets' best candidate to have a breakout season. He has a lot of potential and should eventually be able to hit at least 20-25 home runs per season.

With the starting catching job all his, d'Arnaud should be able to feel more confident at the plate and put together a breakout season this year.

SS Wilmer Flores

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

2014 Statistics: .251/.286/.378, 13 2B, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 12 BB, 28 R, 1 SB

Another young Mets hitter who could have a breakout season this year is Wilmer Flores. Flores' stats were from just 78 games last year, and at times, he was inconsistent at the plate.

This year, Flores began the season as the starting shortstop and more than likely will continue to start for quite some time with Ruben Tejada better suited for a bench role.

Flores has a good amount of potential and some power, which is getting rarer among shortstops today. Being that he will most likely bat regularly in the bottom third of the lineup, the Mets will not be counting on Flores to be one of their biggest run-producers. But if he can be more consistent at the plate, hit a decent number of home runs and drive in his fair share of runs, the Mets would certainly appreciate it.

Flores should make it his mission to prove doubters wrong and show the Mets that they were right in sticking with him as their shortstop.

CF Juan Lagares

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

2014 Statistics: .281/.321/.382, 24 2B, 4 HR, 47 RBI, 20 BB, 46 R, 13 SB

While Juan Lagares has already made a name for himself as a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder, he also improved quite a bit last season as a hitter.

Lagares raised his batting average over 30 points last season in comparison to his rookie season in 2012. His run production was only slightly better, but he stole seven more bases. This shows that he could be a useful leadoff hitter depending on how often he gets on base. A lack of patience at the plate still remains a concern for Lagares, though, who needs to learn to draw more walks and not swing at everything he sees.

But even though Lagares did raise his average quite a bit last year, he still has not exactly broken out as a hitter. He will really break out once he starts adding more power and speed to his game. A noticeably better OBP this season could be another indicator of a breakout season.

Lagares just needs to keep getting on base and developing his power and speed further. If he does all of this, he will be a real breakout candidate for the Mets this year.

All statistics shown are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.