Mets 2022 Midseason Grades for every key player

The Mets have made it to the All-Star break in prime position to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. And they did it without a single pitch from Jacob deGrom and with Max Scherzer missing a month and a half.

A completely different looking offensive team than the one they were in 2021, the Mets have made opposing pitchers work hard while making tons of contact to keep the pressure on opposing defenses.

Meanwhile, the starting rotation bent but didn't break while dealing with the absences of deGrom and Scherzer, and Edwin Diaz has been among the best relievers in baseball.

Let's give out the midseason grades...

Pete Alonso

Alonso has been tremendous, with 24 home runs and a league-leading 78 RBI. And even with his power display, he's been one of many examples of the Mets' new contact-heavy approach, shortening up and/or going the other way when needed.

GRADE: A+

Jeff McNeil

It was obvious before the season that McNeil was due for a big bounce back, and it's happened, with his being among the league leaders in batting average and OBP as he slashes the ball all over the field. And he was rewarded with his second career All-Star nod.

GRADE: A

Francisco Lindor

Lindor entered the last weekend of the first half as quite literally the 19th most valuable player in baseball, using fWAR, sandwiched between Mookie Betts and Austin Riley. He's been a huge plus on both sides of the ball, and is on pace to finish the season with 28 homers and 115 RBI.

GRADE: A

Eduardo Escobar

With the exception of a few brief hot stretches, it's been a struggle at the plate for Escobar this season. with his batting average, OBP, and slugging all well below his career averages. But he has smacked 11 homers and 18 doubles along the way -- and he hit well during the Mets' final series of the first half against the Cubs in Chicago. His defense at third base has been very steady.

GRADE: C

Luis Guillorme

A "regular irregular" as Buck Showalter puts it, Guillorme has been a lineup mainstay who works professional at-bats, has gotten on base at a terrific clip, and whose game-changing defense all over the infield has been incredibly valuable.

GRADE: A-

Starling Marte

Marte has been as-advertised at the plate and on the bases, giving the Mets a dynamic presence they haven't had in recent seasons. And while his All-Star selection came on the strength of his offense, it should be noted that he's played a tremendous right field in his first season out there.

GRADE: A

Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo's OBP isn't quite as high as usual, but he's still been one of the best offensive outfielders in baseball -- and could've easily been selected for the All-Star Game. Nimmo's defense in center field, which he's worked very hard on in recent seasons, has also been great.

GRADE: A

Mark Canha

Canha hasn't hit for much power, but he's made up for it with one of the best on-base percentages in the NL. Among NL outfielders, only Juan Soto has gotten on base more than Canha. He's also been steady in left field.

GRADE: B+

The DH Spot

The Mets entered the season with what appeared to be so many solid DH options that they were spilling over. But Robinson Cano was quickly released after struggling badly, Dominic Smith (who was briefly demoted to Triple-A) hasn't homered in a year, and J.D. Davis (despite hitting the ball hard when he connects) does not make nearly enough contact or hit for nearly enough power. That's why the Mets are expected to add a DH at the trade deadline.

GRADE: F

The Catching Position

James McCann, who is hurt again and likely out until August, has regressed further offensively and is hitting just .183/.250/.293 in 30 games. In McCann's stead are Tomas Nido and Patrick Mazeika, two solid backups who have been asked to do more. One saving grace here is that the Mets' catchers have handled the pitching staff well. And Nido's arm has been a plus.

GRADE: D

Max Scherzer

Had Scherzer not missed a month and a half with an oblique injury, he not only would've made the All-Star Game, but very well might have started it. He has been truly dominant at the top of the rotation, and a huge influence in the dugout and clubhouse.

GRADE: A+

Chris Bassitt

Bassitt has been a steadying force near the top of the rotation, already tossing 102 innings over 17 starts while pitching to a 3.79 ERA (3.82 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 104 strikeouts. Bassitt has gone six innings or more in 13 of his 17 starts this season.

GRADE: B+

Taijuan Walker

Another Mets player who could've been an All-Star but wasn't, Walker has been fantastic this season, holding the opposition to zero or one run in nine of his 17 starts. And he's been reliable, with just one brief injury hiccup.

GRADE: A

Carlos Carrasco

Carrasco's 4.27 ERA (he has a 3.50 FIP) has been a bit inflated by bad starts against the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros, but he's been mostly reliable in his 18 starts, tossing 99 innings. Over his last three starts, Carrasco has allowed just three runs in 17 innings.

GRADE: B-

David Peterson

Peterson will very likely lose his spot in the rotation when deGrom returns, but he has filled in admirably, with a 3.24 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 72.1 innings (13 starts, two relief appearances), using his plus slider to keep hitters off balance while striking out roughly 10 batters per 9.

GRADE: B+

Edwin Diaz

Diaz has been arguably the most dominant reliever in baseball this season, striking out 18.1 batters per 9 innings while resembling the pitcher he was with the Seattle Mariners in 2018. It should be noted that Diaz was very good with the Mets in 2020 and 2021, but he's taken it up a few notches in 2022.

GRADE: A+

Bullpen

There have been some bright spots around Diaz, including Adam Ottavino. But Seth Lugo's stuff is not the same, Drew Smith has regressed, Joely Rodriguez has been up and down, the Mets have already parted ways with Chasen Shreve, and reinforcements will be needed at the trade deadline. The return of Trevor May -- possibly early in the second half -- should also help this group.

GRADE: C

Bench

It's hard to grade the bench unit, since Guillorme has started so often, their backup catchers have become their starting catchers, two of their bench players have split DH duties, and Travis Jankowski missed so much time due to injury.

GRADE: INCL

Manager

Buck Showalter, for the first time since Bobby Valentine was at the helm, has given the Mets a true tactical advantage in the dugout. Showalter has also developed a great rapport with the players, has been a steady voice twice each gameday during his media availabilities, and has struck a balance where he demands respect and hard play but is still a calming influence.

GRADE: A