NY Mets: Expected Breakout Candidate of April 2024

The 2024 New York Mets don’t have high expectations set upon them going into this season. While many guys such as Brett Baty, Fransisco Alvarez and others are entering their sophomore year in the big apple, a few guys that are established could win big early on. Let’s take a look.

Last season was undeniably disastrous. The team finished in fourth place after spending a quarter of a billion dollars the previous offseason. Many moves were made at the trade deadline, from sending Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer packing to acquiring right fielder DJ Stewart.

The team has a ton of questions surrounding the future of 3x All Star first baseman, and two time Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso. Alonso, 29, is also the winner of the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year award.

It’s to be expected that Alonso, who is in the walk year of his contract, goes insane and puts up numbers similar to Aaron Judge in his historic season. The season in which he hit 62 home runs, breaking Roger Maris’ record that was previously set.

Therefore, Alonso having an incredibly productive year puts him in a better position to demand the mega deal he desires, and possibly even the amount of years. Scott Boras is his agent, so it’s to be noted that Boras clients typically do get their money’s worth.

Now, if we’re talking who exceeds expectations for the month of April, look no further. There’s going to be a few guys who start out swinging the bat well, but who I’m choosing to have a solid start may surprise you.

There’s been the unfortunate news this offseason about SS/3B Ronny Mauricio tearing his ACL in the winter league, which will cause him to miss all of 2024.

That means Brett Baty will be expected to get the job done at the hot corner. Baty hit 9 home runs, 34 RBIs, batting .212 with a .275 OBP last season, sparking outrage among the fans. His sloppy defense raised eyebrows, however, ZIPS projects better for the sophomore.

I feel due to the pressure of having to step up and perform he will come out swinging hard. I’m not saying he’s going to make the All Star game, I’m saying, Baty could very well put up the case for being the future hot corner defender the team expected and possibly more.

All in all, Brett Baty is only 24 and the season looks bleak. It’s not a high pressure environment with the playoffs not on anyone’s mind or to be expected until roughly 2026. It makes sense that the kids like Baty show the team and the fans what they’re made of, and early.