Jeff McNeil

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #27 prospect in 2016
  McNeil planned to play golf in college, but he drew such light recruiting interest that he refocused on baseball. He began getting noticed by college coaches while playing on his younger brother Ryan's scout team, and he eventually wound up at Long Beach State. McNeil hit .312 at high Class A St. Lucie in 2015 and led the Florida State League with a .373 on-base percentage, while starting more than 20 games at second base (57), shortstop (33) and third base (24). A flat-planed, lefthanded swing and contact-oriented approach enable him to hit the ball the other way and occasionally find the gaps, but he has bottom-of-the- scale raw power and a slender frame that does not project to add more. McNeil has strong footwork, quick hands and solid range on the infield, though his arm is light to play shortstop every day. He feels most comfortable at second or third base and also can play the outfield. Scouts regard McNeil as a strong fundamental player with plus makeup and instincts, but also one without a plus tool who profiles best as a utility player. He spent time at Double-A Binghamton late in 2015 and will return there in 2016.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #396 prospect in 2013 draft
  McNeil emerged as a sparkplug for the Dirtbags this spring, hitting .349/.399/.440 with 13 stolen bases. He's a high-energy player with good bat-handling and bunting skills, and he has a knack for putting the ball in play. He struck out just 10 times in 218 at-bats this year, and 12 times in 194 at-bats last year. A lefthanded hitter, he has a slashing approach and no power, but he could be an average hitter. He's an above-average to plus runner, though his baserunning could use refinement. McNeil doesn't have flashy actions in the infield, but he makes the routine plays and is versatile enough to play either middle infield spot or the outfield, helping him profile as a utilityman. His arm is fringy and fits best at second base.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #20 prospect in 2018
  After two years marred by injuries, including a pair of sports hernias, surgery to repair a hip labrum and various groin strains, McNeil came out this year and mashed his way to the major leagues. He dominated the Eastern League so thoroughly that his slugging percentage actually dropped (from .626 to .600) when he was promoted to the hitter’s paradise that is Las Vegas. He’s continued his tear in the majors, and has played as the Mets’ everyday second baseman since his callup. The contributing factors to his success involve his ability to make a ton of a contact without racking up big strikeout numbers, and a revamped approach that involved more attention to launch angle to mitigate his lack of pure raw power. He’s bounced around the diamond defensively, and has the chops to handle either second or third base at a passable level. Scouts are split on his overall future, but he’s hit well enough this year to have a shot at an everyday role for New York in 2019.
• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #17 prospect in 2018
  Injuries sidetracked McNeil in 2016 and 2017, but he returned in 2018 and hit for average like he always has while unlocking newfound power. McNeil hit .327 at Double-A, did even better at Triple-A with a .368 average, and has remained over .330 in the majors since taking over as the Mets’ starting second baseman in late July. Though he was old for the minors, McNeil’s showed evaluators all the hitting traits to have sustained success in the big leagues. He stayed within the strike zone, used the whole field, recognized pitches, hit mistakes hard and put a charge into the ball gap-to-gap. He drew particular praise for his bat control and ability to keep the barrel in the zone for a long time. Full health and a buy-in to launch angle helped McNeil boost his power numbers to career highs, although observers still see him primarily as a contact hitter long-term. McNeil improved defensively at second base and makes athletic catches in the air, but he still needs work on subtler things like his hands and footwork. He may ultimately bounce between second and third as a semi-regular, but he has enough bat to play every day.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  McNeil planned to play golf in college, but he drew such light recruiting interest that he refocused on baseball. He began getting noticed by college coaches while playing on his younger brother Ryan's scout team, and he eventually wound up at Long Beach State. McNeil hit .312 at high Class A St. Lucie in 2015 and led the Florida State League with a .373 on-base percentage, while starting more than 20 games at second base (57), shortstop (33) and third base (24). A flat-planed, lefthanded swing and contact-oriented approach enable him to hit the ball the other way and occasionally find the gaps, but he has bottom-of-the- scale raw power and a slender frame that does not project to add more. McNeil has strong footwork, quick hands and solid range on the infield, though his arm is light to play shortstop every day. He feels most comfortable at second or third base and also can play the outfield. Scouts regard McNeil as a strong fundamental player with plus makeup and instincts, but also one without a plus tool who profiles best as a utility player. He spent time at Double-A Binghamton late in 2015 and will return there in 2016.