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Appreciating Francisco Lindor’s 2023 Season

There are only a few positives to consider when the 2023 New York Mets season ends. Such positives include the performance of Kodai Senga, José Quintana pitching well since his return, the emergence of rookie phenom Francisco Álvarez, and Pete Alonso continuing to hit a baseball into the stratosphere. There’s also David Robertson stepping up into the closer role after the injury to Edwin Diaz. However, Robertson was traded to the Miami Marlins at the deadline. One of the biggest positives of the season comes from the clubs’ star shortstop, Francisco Lindor. The much-maligned shortstop has quietly put on a very good year, and it’s time to appreciate it. 

Appreciating Francisco Lindor’s 2023 Season

Lindor At The Plate

Lindor’s performance at the plate has been under a microscope since his early season struggles during his first year in New York. His first three months of 2021 saw Lindor only hit 9 home runs and drive in 26 runs. Since then, many fans have reserved themselves into thinking it was what they were getting out of Lindor during his newly signed contract. When really, Lindor finished the season strong, including an incredible September. Lindor hit 9 home runs with 25 RBIs on 29 hits last month and continued with a strong 2022. He slashed .270/.339/.449 in 2022. Including hitting 26 home runs with 107 RBIs. 

2023 has been another strong year for Lindor, with 22 home runs and driving in 74 RBIs on 112 hits. In terms of consistent Mets offensive players, Lindor has been one of the few in the lineup to contribute. With players all around not contributing, including a deep slump by Alonso after he returned from the IL, Lindor stepped up. Being a guy, the Mets can count on. His numbers are among the tops in baseball for all shortstops. 

 

Lindor is also among the best in fWAR for not only shortstops, but among all position players. He has an overall 4.5 WAR for the year.

 

 

Lindor Makes Mets History

Not only has Lindor been good on offense, but on the basepaths he’s reminding Mets fans of another electric shortstop in team history who used to steal a lot of bases. Lindor has 20 stolen bases this year. His career high is 25 in 2018. With those 20 stolen bases and 20 home runs, Lindor became the first Met since Carlos Beltran in 2008 to reach that milestone. 

 

 

Lindor The Leader

When a team like the Mets is having the kind of season they are having, it brings to the forefront who will step up in the clubhouse. To what should not be a surprise, Lindor is the go-to guy. He’s stepped up in the locker room and kept things in check. He is always there to answer questions from the press and take accountability, even if he is playing well, and, at the same time, taking players like Álvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos under his wing.

Mets fans have a love-hate relationship with Lindor. Some can’t get his early 2021 struggles out of their heads or stop pointing the finger at him for the infamous thumbs-down stuff. However, it’s way past time for Mets fans to genuinely see what they have in him. While he was perfect last year, this season, he’s showing a lot of his actual value during downtimes and always going out there and setting an example of how to play the game. Plus, keeping the player’s heads up to compete no matter what. The Mets have a unique player in him for the next several years, and he’s the guy to build the club around. 

 

Main Photo Credits: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

 

Evan Mazza, Site Editor

Evan Mazza, Site Editor

Evan was born on Long Island, New York growing up as a lifelong New York Mets fan (his middle name being Shea) and Baltimore Ravens fan. Evan's had a love for sports talk, sports writing and sports in general since his childhood. Evan covered for his High School sports teams for the school newspaper, as well as being an intern for WPIX Channel 11, and at The Associated Press. Evan graduated from Suffolk County Community College and Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Previously, he has written for SB Nation's Baltimore Beatdown covering the Baltimore Ravens. As well as covering the New York Mets, New York Yankees, New York Jets, and New York Giants for BlueHQMedia. Recently, Evan's been a writer for Worldwide Sports Radio Network (formerly Sportsonthego1) as well as a producer and talent for on-air shows. Evan is now writing for sportseventsguide.com covering the New York Mets, Baltimore Ravens, and all things MLB and NFL.

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