For all the heat that the New York Mets have taken from the media and fans after their sluggish start of the season, they are only three games back from the first place in the National League East division. Also, they are three victories away from a .500 record, which should be the first short-term goal for the Luis Rojas-led squad.
Behind the resurgence in the Mets’ bats, there has been one familiar face. After a rather mediocre 2019, in which he slashed .256/.307/.428, it’s fair to say that not even his stint in the 10-day injured list could limit him in 2020.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Cano is slashing .393/.426/.679 with a sky-high .459 wOBA and a 197 wRC+. That means he’s been 97% better than his average peer. He is showing his best average exit velocity (91.7 miles per hour) since 2018.
The Mets’ second baseman has his power stroke back
In only 16 games, the New York Mets’ starting second baseman has four home runs and 13 RBI. He is determined to show fans that the team didn’t just give away prized prospect Jarred Kelenic.
Before the series of injuries in the rotation (the Mets lost Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, David Peterson and Michael Wacha so far, but the last two are expected back this season) the club was clearly a contender. Now, with the decimated pitching corps, the primary focus should be get healthier and make the playoffs. Cano is a big part of that, as long as he remains on the field.
Yes, the pitching side of things is struggling right now, especially if one considers that Rick Porcello and Steven Matz are battling out there in the mound in addition to all the injuries. But the offense, thanks to Cano, Dominic Smith, JD Davis, Brandon Nimmo and company, has mostly been there.
Last season, he suffered lots of lower body injuries, and he already has one in 2020. But make no mistake: this season, he seems to be a man on a mission. His sweet, left-handed swing is still there, and as long as that is the case, the Mets’ offense should be competitive.