MIAMI — Jeff McNeil, a star second baseman and outfielder for the Mets, is an distinctive hitter with a standout potential to make contact. He received the 2022 National League batting title with a .326 common over 148 video games. His common over his 5 major-league seasons is .307. Over the winter, the Mets rewarded the 30-year-old McNeil with a four-year, $50 million contract extension.
Yet, forward of a season wherein the Mets have outrageously excessive expectations, McNeil has barely been taking part in. As a member of the United States’ stacked World Baseball Classic roster — which incorporates different stars able to dealing with his positions, reminiscent of Mookie Betts and Tim Anderson — McNeil has logged solely 11 plate appearances in the course of the two-week event. Only three U.S. gamers have had fewer.
“Obviously, you wish you were playing more,” McNeil mentioned whereas standing within the dugout on Sunday, earlier than the United States toppled Cuba, 14-2, to advance to Tuesday’s ultimate towards Japan. But McNeil wasn’t precisely complaining when he uttered these phrases.
“That’s just how good this team is,” he continued, citing Anderson, the Chicago White Sox shortstop who shifted to second base for the event. “We’re playing good baseball right now and we’re facing a lot of left-handed starting pitching as well. T.A. has been doing great out there, so keep rooting for him. The overall experience has been fantastic.”
That, in the end, is what has given McNeil perspective all through the W.B.C. Sure, he won’t be taking part in as a lot as he’s used to or the Mets might want, however McNeil mentioned he had nonetheless discovered from his time in pressure-packed video games wherein he was surrounded by stars.
“All of these games — especially the Mexico game and Venezuela game — have been somewhat what I imagine the World Series would be like with the kind of atmosphere,” he mentioned. “You see that and get used to playing in that and I think it helps down the line.”
There is an underlying predicament in accepting an excused absence out of your M.L.B. membership to take part within the W.B.C., particularly for a rustic with a whole lot of stars: You get to symbolize your nation, however you may lose taking part in time. For gamers from locations such because the Dominican Republic, Japan, Puerto Rico or Venezuela — the place the W.B.C. issues much more than it does within the United States, and T.V. scores have typically damaged information — that was typically a no brainer.
While the United States attracted many star place gamers, it struggled with top-level pitchers. Several cited damage issues or the bodily toll of ramping up sooner than normal forward of a six-month common season. Some gamers, like Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, merely couldn’t get the wanted clearances to take part. (Players are required to be lined by insurance coverage to take part.)
Some of the fears expressed by groups have been confirmed, partly, when Edwin Díaz, the star nearer of the Mets, suffered a season-ending knee damage whereas celebrating certainly one of Puerto Rico’s wins. Then Jose Altuve, a star second baseman for the Houston Astros, sustained a damaged thumb when he was hit by a pitch throughout Venezuela’s recreation towards the United States on Saturday.
Despite all of these elements, McNeil wished to play. In truth, he sought out Manager Mark DeRosa to specific curiosity, and was requested to be part of when Boston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story underwent elbow surgical procedure in January. McNeil had to alter his normal preparation for the season, however he insisted he was pleased.
“I’ll be fine,” he mentioned, and then pointed to the 2022 preseason shortened by a labor stoppage. “We had three weeks of spring training last year and I won a batting title. I don’t need that much time.” When he returned to the Mets, he mentioned, he may go to the again fields at their spring coaching facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and get additional at-bats in simulated or minor-league video games.
Overall, McNeil, like lots of his teammates who took half within the W.B.C., has discovered the event rewarding. First-time individuals like pitcher Adam Wainwright, outfielder Mike Trout and Betts have gushed in regards to the occasion. Betts has seemed re-energized, whereas Wainwright and Trout have mentioned that this has been probably the most pleasant baseball expertise of their careers.
“I knew going in it was going to be a fun time, but I never knew it was going to be this fun,” Trout mentioned final week. Betts added, “I encourage those who are watching, come join, come play for Team U.S.A., because this is a lot of fun.”
Two gamers liked their 2017 W.B.C. journeys a lot that they signed up to come again: Paul Goldschmidt, the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman who received the 2022 National League Most Valuable Player Award, and his perennial All-Star teammate, third baseman Nolan Arenado. Players have additionally mentioned that getting to spend time round rivals-turned-teammates or decide the brains of different standouts has been fruitful.
“Watching their routines and seeing how they go about their business, you understand why they are the best in this game, and I really enjoy that part,” Arenado mentioned of being round Trout and Betts, who’ve 4 M.V.P. awards and 16 All-Star appearances between them.
But it’s not simply the gamers. The United States teaching workers is filled with former stars, together with five-time World Series-winning pitcher Andy Pettitte and the Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. So whereas McNeil had solely 19 plate appearances over six spring coaching video games with the Mets earlier than he left for the W.B.C. — and has had even fewer since — he mentioned he valued engaged on his hitting with Griffey, who’s serving because the workforce’s hitting coach.
McNeil mentioned he had talked to Griffey about just a few minor issues in his swing and later felt “really good” throughout batting follow and within the batting cages. “We’ll see if they translate to a game,” he added.
Should the United States declare its second title on this quadrennial event, maybe extra gamers will likely be prepared to make the leap regardless of the potential downsides.
There have been “probably plenty of players that wish they could play,” Arenado mentioned. “This really is a great tournament. There’s no reason why the stars of our game should not be playing in this. I’m thankful that we got Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, the faces of our game that are playing this thing. If you’re throwing 96 to 100 in spring training, that works anywhere. So there’s no reason why you can’t do that here and represent your country.”
Discussion about this post