MLB Network recently released a ranking of the top 100 MLB players. Four current members of the New York Mets‘ roster are present in the list, which speaks of the squad talent and status as a potential contender in 2020.
The list was released on Thursday. To the surprise of no one, the Mets’ best ranked player was no other than Jacob deGrom.
The team’s ace came in at number eight in the ranking, after winning the Cy Young award in the National League for two seasons in a row.
The 2019 was a fantastic one for deGrom, who finished with a 11-8 win-loss record and a 2.43 ERA. He struck out 255 batters in just 204 IP. The right-hander was one of the most consistent performers in the Mets’ roster and carried the rotation all season long.
It was the first time in his marvelous career that Jacob deGrom leads the National League in punchouts. Only Gerrit Cole, now the ace of the New York Yankees, was ranked higher than deGrom among pitchers, checking in at seventh place.
The Mets’ WAR ace
In the last two years, DeGrom put up 9.0 and 7.0 fWAR, respectively. Most starters struggle to finish with that many wins above replacement in their whole careers. Doing it in just two seasons is an amazing feat.
DeGrom will look for his third straight Cy Young award. He would be the first hurler to achieve that since Randy Johnson did it at the beginning of the new millennium.
Other players of the New York Mets saw their names on MLB Network’s list. First baseman, home run champion and reigning Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso finished at number 24, while Jeff McNeil was 49th in the list.
Outfielder Michael Conforto, one of the most underrated players in the Mets’ roster and in the National League, was 79th in the list.