Jeff McNeil is a special hitter. Yes, he only has a couple of seasons of MLB experience, but it is not hard to reach that conclusion. He has a lifetime batting average of .321 in 815 plate appearances and 196 games, and when he catches fire, you know something special could happen. Reports from the New York Mets’ camp at Citi Field are glowing, as players and coaches say he has been crushing the ball.
When we consider the fact that the 2020 season will only have 60 games, there will be space for plenty of statistical oddities. For example, it is not so crazy to imagine a player finishing with a sub-2.00s ERA, or over .400 of batting average. Jeff McNeil is certainly a candidate for the latter.
During the first 60 games of the 2019 season, the Mets’ infielder hit .329. However, it was as high as .370 at one point. Given how good he is looking, could he hit the sacred milestone? It will be extremely hard, but possible. Why not?
Could the Mets’ hitting machine make history?
The last player to ever hit at least .400 during a complete season was Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams in 1941.
“It would be nice. I know I had a good first half of the year last year. Hopefully I can do it again,†McNeil said on Thursday, per SNY.tv. “I’ve got 60 games to go out there and get as many hits as possible. Hopefully by the end of the year it is .400, but we’ll see. My goal is just to get on base as much as I can for the guys behind me.â€
He understands, however, that in such a short season, the focus will be on taking the New York Mets to the promised land: the playoffs.
“The ultimate goal is to go out there, make the playoffs, and win a World Series,†said McNeil. “That’s still our goal. Personally, I’m trying to go up there every single at-bat, get on base, and make good things happen for this team.â€