MLB Network rounded out there Top 100 players list for the 2023 season on Thursday night. The Mets finished tied with the Houston Astros for the most players (eight) to make the list.
The newly minted dynamic duo at the top of the rotation headlines the Mets’ rankings. Just like it’ll be all season long in the Big Apple, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander followed each other on the list.
After taking home the American League Cy Young with an outstanding comeback season with the Astros, Verlander finds himself at No. 14. The 40-year-old posted a terrific 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and struck out 185 batters in 28 starts.
Scherzer follows right behind him at No. 15 after a strong first season in New York. Headlining the Mets’ rotation, he pitched to a 2.29 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and had 173 strikeouts across 23 starts.
Next up for the Mets was shortstop Francisco Lindor, who landed at No. 21.
After struggling in his first year in New York, Lindor bounced back in a big way. He missed just one game on the season and was as advertised on both sides of the ball. The star infielder posted a .788 OPS with 25 doubles, 26 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and 107 RBI.
Then the big man, Pete Alonso, came in at No. 31 on the list. MLB Network’s Sean Casey felt this was way too low for Alonso, calling him “one of the best power hitters this game has ever seen.”
Alonso missed just two games last season and improved all-around as a hitter. He finished the year with a .869 OPS and 27 doubles. He led the league with 131 RBI and finished tied for third with 40 homers.
Jeff McNeil rounded out the Mets in the Top 50, coming in at No. 45, after hitting .326 to take home the 2022 batting title. Edwin Diaz fell just short of the mark, at No. 51, after a historic campaign.
The Mets’ one-two punch at the top of the lineup rounds out the group of eight. Brandon Nimmo was just behind Diaz at 54 and Starling Marte (61) was the lowest ranking Met.
Nimmo is coming off perhaps the best all-around season of his big-league career. His defense continued to improve and he remained one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball. He, of course, was rewarded with an extension this offseason making him a Met for life.
Marte battled injuries but was still a key figure in this Mets lineup. The offense looked and had a different feel with him in the seance spot in the order. In 118 games, Marte posted a .814 OPS, 16 homers, and 18 stolen bases.
Buck Showalter certainly has some star-studded talent taking the diamond for his this season.