Jeff McNeil is the Entire Top 3 on the Mets' Defensive Leaderboard and That's Insane

At one point in the offseason, New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil seemed to be on his way to Seattle as a part of the big trade that brought the Mets Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz.

That came after many reports labeled him as a defensive liability. In fact, Mets manager Mickey Callaway even said last July that McNeil is "purely a second baseman." Well, so much for that.

Now, McNeil leads the team in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) at three different positions. According to fangraphs.com, McNeil has three DRS in right field, and two in both third base and left field. The only other Mets player with two DRS is third baseman Todd Frazier. It's no secret New York's defense has been awful this season. Among the 30 teams in baseball, the Mets rank last in DRS with -68.

In 63 games last year, primarily at second base, McNeil hit .321 with a .381 OBP and only struck out 24 times in 225 at-bats. McNeil's elite bat-to-ball skills have carried over into the 2019 campaign, as the All-Star leads the league with a .345 average, carrying him to a .405 OBP.

In another season of disappointments for the Mets, McNeil's breakthrough season with first baseman Pete Alonso's stellar rookie campaign represents bright spots and hope for the future.