New York Mets End of Season Grades: Position Players
Obviously this season did not go the way the Mets wanted. The Mets finished 79-83 and 18 games out of first place in the National League East. Looking back on the season it is now time to evaluate the team.
I previously evaluated the pitchers and now it is the position players turn. Included in these rankings is anyone who played for the Mets this year.
Josh Thole
1 of 26
Grade: B
Stats: .277 BA/.357 OBP/.366 SLG
Thole was brought up to the majors this season after Rod Barajas’s struggles. At just 23 years old, Thole was able to hold his own. He was not much of a run producer, hitting just three home runs and driving in 17 in 73 games, but he was able to get on base. He was also strong defensively; throwing out 44% of would be base stealers.
Ike Davis
2 of 26
Grade: A+
Stats: .264/.351/.440
What more could you want from a 23 year old rookie first baseman. Davis did everything that was asked of him after the Mets’ failed Mike Jacobs experiment. Davis was able to become a run producer in the middle of the Mets lineup. He hit 19 home runs while driving in 71 runners.
Davis also was one of the top defensive first baseman in the majors. Davis had the top UZR for first baseman in the National League and should be a Gold Glove candidate.
Luis Castillo
3 of 26
Grade: D-
Stats: .235/.337/.267
Limited to 86 games by injury and ineffectiveness, Castillo’s contract has become an albatross to the Mets. Castillo’s speed and defense have declined rapidly greatly limiting his baseball abilities. He stole just 8 bases this year and only had 17 RBI. The Mets tried to move the former Gold Glover at the trade deadline, but found no takers.
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Jose Reyes
4 of 26
Grade: B+
Stats: .282/.321/.428
After missing most of last season due to injury, Jose Reyes is one of the candidates for Comeback Player of the Year. After a strong first half, Reyes was named to the NL All-Star team. He continued to produce in the second half of the season.
Reyes was a catalyst at the top of the lineup. He scored 83 runs while driving in 54 more. He was not as much of a stolen base threat as he has been in the past, stealing 30 bases, his lowest total in a full season. Jose hit 10 home runs and had 11 triples this season.
David Wright
5 of 26
Grade: B+
Stats: .283/.354/.503
David was able to have a strong season this year after his power disappeared last season. Wright hit 29 home runs and drove in 103 runs. He also managed to steal 19 bases.
However, David struggled with strikeouts this season. Wright was 7th in the National League with strikeouts with 161.
Jason Bay
6 of 26
Grade: D
Stats: .259/.347/.402
Jason Bay looked nothing like the player that the Mets believe that they signed this offseason. Last year, Bay hit 36 home runs and had 119 RBI. This season, Bay had just six home runs and 47 RBI through 95 games. His season was ended early by a concussion.
With $48 million left on his contract over the next three years and a $17 million option in 2014, the Mets may be left with another expensive player who fails to produce anything of value.
Angel Pagan
7 of 26
Grade: A+
Stats: .290/.340/.425
The Mets got more than they ever expected from Pagan. The former Mets draft pick who was traded to the Cubs, made a large impact after being required.
In his first full season as a starter, Pagan was able to hit 11 home runs and drive in 69 runs. He also scored 80 runs. He led the team in stolen bases this season with 37.
Pagan was also outstanding defensively. He had a 2.1 defensive WAR, good for second in the NL, and he also led the NL in range factor for centerfielders. Pagan posted a 4.7 WAR this year, which was the 9th best in the National League.
Jeff Francoeur
8 of 26
Grade: C-
Stats: .237/.293/.369
Francoeur struggled to find continued success with the Mets this season. He showed flashes of potential he demonstrated as a 22 year old with the Atlanta Braves.
Francoeur had 11 home runs and 54 RBI in his 124 games with the Mets. He contributed defensively with 11 outfield assists. He was traded on August 31st to the Texas Rangers for Joaquin Arias.
Ruben Tejada
9 of 26
Grade: C-
Stats: .213/.305/.282
The soft-hitting 20 year old infielder looked overmatched during his time in the majors. The Mets gave Tejada an extensive look this season, allowing him to play 78 games. Tejada hit scored 26 runs while driving in 15. He hit his first and only career home run this season. Tejada was strong defensively, but did not show any of the speed that he did in the minors.
Carlos Beltran
10 of 26
Grade: C+
Stats: .255/.341/.427
Limited to just 64 for games this year as a result of off-season knee surgery, Beltran struggled following his return to the lineup. He managed to post decent numbers given his playing time. Beltran had 7 home runs and 27 RBI. His loss of speed was evident as he only stole 3 bases this season. He also no longer displayed the same range in the outfield.
Rod Barajas
11 of 26
Grade: C-
Stats: .225/.263/.414
Despite the power the fact that Barajas was able to hit 12 home runs and have 34 RBI in 74 games for the Mets, he struggled to get on base. His low on base percentage was a due in large part to his inability to take walks. Barajas had just 8 walks in 267 plate appearances with the Mets. He was traded to the LA Dodgers for cash on August 22nd.
Alex Cora
12 of 26
Grade: F
Stats: .207/.265/.278
The utility man managed to stay on the Mets roster for much longer than many people thought he should. Cora did drive in 20 runs this year for the Mets, but he didn’t do much else. He was a weak defensive replacement. The Mets finally released him on August 7th.
Chris Carter
13 of 26
Grade: C
Stats: .263/.317/.389
After starting the season in the minors, the Mets finally decided to uncage the animal on May 11th. Carter was a serviceable bat off the bench and was solid defensively. He managed to hit 4 home runs and drive in 24 runs in 180 at bats. He was unable to demonstrate the power he showed in the minors.
Henry Blanco
14 of 26
Grade: D+
Stats: .215/.271/.300
Brought in to be the backup to Rod Barajas, Blanco wasn’t expected to get much playing time. Blanco struggled offensively. He hit two home runs and drove in eight runs. He shocked everyone by stealing a base this season. It was just his 10th steal in his 13-year career. Blanco was strong defensively and threw out 50% of would-be base stealers.
Jesus Feliciano
15 of 26
Grade: C-
Stats: .231/.276/.287
Feliciano was a typical feel good story. He hit .339 at Triple-A Buffalo and forced the Mets into calling him up. At age 31, he made his major league debut. However, Feliciano was not able to hit at the same rate he did at the minors. In 54 games he had just 3 RBI. Feliciano was able to play average defense in the outfield.
Lucas Duda
16 of 26
Grade: Incomplete
Stats: .202/.261/.417
After being a September call up, Duda was able to get 84 at bats. Duda seemed overmatched as he started his career in a 1 for 33 slump. Duda finished the season stronger. He ended the year with four home runs and 13 RBI. He should compete for a spot on the major league roster next year during spring training.
Fernando Tatis
17 of 26
Grade: F
Stats: .185/.254/.338
Tatis had a strong season as a utility man last year and earned a new one year contract with the Mets for this season. Tatis couldn’t seem to do anything right this season. He managed two home runs and six RBI and failed to break the Mendoza line.
Gary Matthews Jr.
18 of 26
Grade: F
Stats: .190/.266/.241
The Mets traded for Matthews this offseason and thought that he would be their centerfielder until Carlos Beltran returned. Matthews barely even made it to the month of June. He played his last game for the Mets on June 2nd. He was only able to drive in one run in his 36 games with the Mets. This is 4 less RBI than R.A. Dickey who had 7 less at bats then him. He was released on June 15th.
Mike Hessman
19 of 26
Grade: F
Stats: .127/.262/.255
After Hessman hit 18 home runs in 64 games at Triple-A Buffalo, the Mets were convinced that they may have found a power bat for their bench. Hessman could not adjust to major league pitching. He hit just one home run in 55 at bats. He also struck out 23 times.
Luis Hernandez
20 of 26
Grade: C
Stats: .250/.298/.409
Hernandez only played in 17 games this season, but he was a good backup at second base and shortstop. He hit two home runs and drove in six in limited action.
Nick Evans
21 of 26
Grade: Incomplete
Stats: .306/.324/.472
Evans season was interrupted by a knee injury. He did managed to get a September call up and he preformed well. He hit a home run and drove in five runs in 36 at bats.
Mike Jacobs
22 of 26
Grade: F
Stats: .208/.296/.375
The Mets opening day first baseman lasted only seven games with the team. His struggles led to Ike Davis’ call up. Jacobs did hit one home run and had two RBI. He did not show the power that the Mets expected from him. He was traded to the Blue Jays on July 30th for a player to be named later.
Frank Catalanotto
23 of 26
Grade: F
Stats: .160/.192/.200
Catalanotto was brought in to be a utility man for the Mets. However, after appearing in 25 games, it was clear that he couldn’t contribute to the team. He has four hits and one RBI to show for his time with the Mets.
Fernando Martinez
24 of 26
Grade: Incomplete
Stats: .167/.273/.167
Martinez got a cup of tea in the majors this year. In seven games he had two RBI. Look for him to try to make the team out of spring training next season.
Mike Nickeas
25 of 26
Grade: A
Stats: .200/.200/.200
Nickeas was brought up in September to give Josh Thole some off days. He did this job well.
Justin Turner
26 of 26
Grade: Incomplete
Stats: .125/.222/.250
Turner got into four games in the majors this year. He had a strong year in the minors. He could be an option at 2nd base for the Mets next year.
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