Projecting the New York Mets’ 2016 Opening Day lineup
Following their devastating loss in the World Series to the Kansas City Royals, the New York Mets had many questions to answer in the offseason. What their lineup would look like on Opening Day 2016 was anyone’s guess. Now that Spring Training has begun and the season is right around the corner, it is safe to begin making these predictions.
- Curtis Granderson – RF
- Neil Walker – 2B
- Yoenis Cespedes – CF
- Lucas Duda – 1B
- Michael Conforto – LF
- David Wright – 3B
- Wilmer Flores – SS
- Travis d’Arnaud – C
- Pitcher
As per usual, Curtis Granderson bats in the leadoff position and plays his customary right field. In his second year in Flushing, Granderson really hit his stride and got comfortable within the confines of Citi Field. In the 2015 season, Granderson batted a respectable .259 with 26 home runs and 70 RBIs. Having Granderson around the clubhouse is a huge boost for the Mets. He provides aura of ease and provides knowledge to the younger guys.
Newcomer Neil Walker will be batting second with his ability to bat from both sides of the plate and his tendency to get on base. In 2015, his last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Walker had an OBP of .328 while grounding into just nine double plays. Walker is in his age-30 season with seven years’ experience under his belt.
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With the departure of Daniel Murphy, the Mets were in dire need of an infielder and when the opportunity came to unload Jon Niese and acquire Walker, they jumped at it. Walker is sure to provide a sense of stability at second base that was sometimes lacking with Murphy.
Yoenis Cespedes is the backbone upon which the Mets have shaped their lineup. His power at the plate provided them much-needed support late last season following his arrival from the Detroit Tigers. In his 57 games with the Mets, Cespedes blasted 17 home runs with a batting average of .287 and 44 RBIs.
The only question mark that comes with Cespedes is the position in which he will find himself come the regular season. Traditionally he is a left fielder but with young Michael Conforto already manning that position it is likely that Cespedes will be forced to adapt and play center field. Although he has expressed his dismay at the prospect, he has all the tools needed to play the position.
His effectiveness at the plate may take a hit in the early stages of the season while he is still adapting to his new position, but he will undoubtedly learn to play the position well and get to swinging the bat like his usual self come late May or early June.
Lucas Duda is coming off perhaps the quietest back-to-back 30 homer seasons in recent memory. Entering his seventh year with the Mets, Duda is hoping to keep his home-run-hitting ways going in the four-hole. Duda provides a reassuring presence at first base in addition to his live bat at the plate. Duda’s success is crucial to the Mets’ hopes for regular season success and a deep run into the playoffs.
Sophomore left fielder Michael Conforto will take the plate following Duda. This powerful left-hander mesmerized baseball fans all around the league in his 56 games with the club late in the season. After being called up mid-season, Conforto provided a solid presence in left field for the Mets. Conforto has shown great ability in the outfield, with the exception of a blunder or two in the World Series. In just 56 games last season, Conforto slammed 11 home runs and had a batting average of .270.
The captain of the franchise, David Wright, will hold down the six-hole in the lineup. Most projections put him in the three-hole or even batting fifth, but it’s possible age will catch up to him and he will be unable to produce to the extent that is required of that position in the lineup. In 2015, Wright was limited to just 38 games as he dealt with spinal stenosis. For much of the summer, the fate of the captain was in question.
Fortunately for him and the Mets, he was able to return to the lineup and provide a veteran presence and authority to a lineup that was riddled with young inexperienced players. In his 38 games, Wright managed to hit five homers and drive in 17 runs, along with 22 walks and a batting average of .289. It is uncertain how effective he will be, as his reps in Spring Training have been severely limited. However, it is certain that he will provide the emotional support every ballclub needs in its clubhouse.
Batting behind the captain and playing shortstop is the Venezuelan son of Flushing, Wilmer Flores. Flores stole the hearts of baseball fans all around the country last July when he was seen crying at second base during a game when he was told that he had been traded. Fortunately, the trade that would have also involved pitcher Zack Wheeler fell through when Carlos Gomez’s hip condition put up red flags for the Mets.
In 137 games last season, Flores batted .263 with just 63 strikeouts and 22 doubles. In previous seasons, Flores has played second base, but he has shown great prowess at short this spring. It may be likely that he and Ruben Tejada can share starts, while also alternating with Neil Walker at second base.
Travis d’Arnaud had a difficult time getting his season going because of various injuries that sidelined him for almost 100 games. By the end of the season, he managed to get into just 67 games, but in that span he hit 12 home runs, drove in 41 runs and batted .268.
Next: Top catchers entering 2016 MLB season
D’Arnaud looks to use this new season to boost his game to levels which he has never reached before. His numbers from 67 games in 2015 rival his numbers from 108 games in 2014. He is on the offensive upswing and he along with Mets fans everywhere hope he can carry it into this season.