WASHINGTON — Just call him center field McNeil.
The Mets used Jeff McNeil in center field Saturday against the Washington Nationals, marking the fourth time the second baseman has played at that spot in the major leagues (three starts). Often used as an outfielder, McNeil typically plays in one of the corner spots, but he has long been asking the Mets for an opportunity to play center.
With Jose Siri injured and Tyrone Taylor getting a day off, McNeil finally got that opportunity.
The versatile 33-year-old played some center field in college at Long Beach State, and got into some games there in the minor leagues. Long Beach State’s home ballpark, Blair Field, is regarded as a tough place for outfielders to play, due to the thick marine layer that can make it difficult for outfielders to see pop-ups. But center field is even more of a challenge. It’s manse with deep dimensions, and back when McNeil was suiting up for the Dirtbags, the outfield wall was made of cinderblocks (the school has since brought in the fences and added padding).
Some of the same middle infield fundamentals McNeill possesses will translate to center field.
“There’s a lot that you have to see,” said manager Carlos Mendoza, a former infielder. “Whether it’s pitch movement, reading swings when a guy’s barrel is up front or trying to go the other way, the first step. I think there’s a little bit of difference.”
The biggest difference is when it comes to tracking fly balls.
“When you talk about routes in the infield, it’s more like crossover, but when you’re in the outfield, you have to clear your hips,” Mendoza said. “But I think in this case, in center field, and with him being so used to playing in the middle of the diamond it might help.”
McNeil has also played third base and can play shortstop, but the Mets don’t need him to with Luisangel Acuña as the utility man right now. But Mendoza can get both of their bats in the lineup by using McNeil in center field, especially since Juan Soto plays every day in right field.
Brandon Nimmo could slide over to play center field, and the Mets have said they’re comfortable with that, but left field isn’t as taxing.
“I think it’s just more of keeping Nimmo fresher somehow,” Mendoza said. “I could see, once we get going here, having Nimmo play center field, but with what he went through in spring training with his knee and all that, I think we just continue to build him up, even though he’s pretty much playing every day and feeling good. I wanted to keep him, for now, in left field, but I could see this changing here at some point throughout the summer.”
Nimmo battled a sore knee in March that required an injection.
McNeil has 12 defensive runs saved in the outfield at all three positions since 2019, and 2 OAA.
“He’s an infielder that plays everywhere with good instincts,” Mendoza said. “He’s out there right now.”
TEQUILA FOR TYLOR
Right-hander Tylor Megill has a scorchingly low 1.09 ERA after five starts this season. Thanks to a sinker, he’s been able to reduce the amount of hard contact this season and get more outs on the ground. Hitters aren’t barreling him up like they did in the past.
“It’s a lot harder for hitters to play on two different fastballs,” Megill said. “You’ve got a four-seam and a sinker, so it’s more like, what are they going to choose? You’ve gotta pick one fastball kind of swing. And right now it’s working.”
Megill is throwing more strikes and attacking the zone. The Mets see a more mature, confident pitcher.
But there could be something else at play as well. His mom, Julie, has taken to social media before his starts, posting videos of herself doing tequila shots for good luck. It’s even led a handful of Mets fans to do the same.
Megill tends to stay away from social media, so he was unaware. However, he’s not unhappy with the results.
“I guess if it works, why not?” he said.
Megill will make his next start Sunday at Nationals Park in the third game of a four-game series.
GOING STREAKING
While Kodai Senga’s scoreless innings streak came to an end this weekend at 20 1/3, the Mets starting pitchers are still riding another streak, having gone 13 games without allowing a home run. The team record of 23 games was set in 1969.
