Francisco Lindor’s Early Season Surge: A Game-Changer for the Mets
NEW YORK — The start of a new baseball season often brings with it a mix of excitement and anxiety, especially for players like Francisco Lindor, who have a history of slow starts. This year, however, the narrative is different for the Mets’ shortstop. After beginning the season 0-for-11, Lindor was faced with the familiar question of how to avoid another sluggish start.
“That’s a fantastic question,” Lindor admitted. “I’m sure everyone’s asking that and I’m sure everyone’s trying to figure it out, and I’m right there with everyone. I don’t know.”
Enter Jeremy Barnes, one of the Mets’ hitting coaches, who provided Lindor with a simple yet profound piece of advice: “Don’t chase hits. Don’t chase anything. Stick to the plan and execute it. You’re one of the best in the world. Don’t make it more than it is. Trust the work and trust yourself.”
Since that pivotal conversation, Lindor has been on a tear. After missing the Mets’ fourth game of the season for the birth of his third child, he returned to the lineup with a vengeance. Batting .349 with five home runs and a .972 OPS, Lindor has been instrumental in propelling the Mets to the best record in the majors at 18-7. His performance has been reminiscent of his form as the National League MVP runner-up from 2024, showcasing his dynamic talent much earlier in the season than usual.
“The conversation helped me have a clearer mind on what I needed to do during the process,” Lindor explained in Spanish. “Just try not to do much. Look for pitches I need to look for and pass the baton because we have a lot of batters who are horses and I don’t have to do much. It all comes in the preparation. I prepare, and once I get in the batter’s box, I’m not thinking. My athletic ability kicks in. That’s what happened.”
While his new superstar teammate, Juan Soto, has struggled to find his rhythm, Lindor has been nothing short of spectacular. During the Mets’ recent 7-0 homestand at Citi Field, which concluded with a walk-off win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Lindor became the first player in the majors this season to reach base three times in four consecutive games.
His heroics included a walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals and a series of clutch hits against the Phillies, including a leadoff home run and a three-run shot that secured a 5-4 victory. Over the seven-game winning streak, Lindor went 14-for-30 with four home runs, a 1.367 OPS, and stellar defense. His ability to crush fastballs this season, batting .344 with four home runs and a .607 slugging percentage against them, has been a key factor in his success.
“He’s free in a way where it’s like, ‘You know what? I’m just going to be myself,'” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And that’s what he’s doing right now. And he’s getting results.”
Historically, Lindor has been known for his slow starts. In his first four seasons with the Mets, he batted a cumulative .218 over the first month of the season. Last year, he slashed .190/.265/.352 through May 18, facing boos at home and even receiving threatening messages on social media. However, a team meeting called by Lindor in late May turned the season around, leading to a thrilling summer that ended just two wins shy of the World Series.
During that time, Lindor switched his walk-up song to the Temptations’ “My Girl,” a tribute to his wife and daughters. The song has since become a fan favorite at Citi Field, a stark contrast to the reception he received a year ago.
“Last year we weren’t playing well,” Lindor said. “Now we have vibes. The music is louder. The chemistry from the guys is a lot better than what we had at the beginning of last year. The organization feels more stable. The culture is beautiful. It feels a lot better and that’s very important. It takes years of that growing.”
The Mets acquired Lindor before the 2021 season, signing him to a 10-year, $341 million extension to be a cornerstone of the franchise. Alongside veterans like Soto, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo, Lindor’s leadership and consistent performance have been invaluable.
Lindor’s 8.8 fWAR over the past calendar year is the highest in the National League, trailing only Aaron Judge‘s and Bobby Witt Jr.’s across all of baseball. His hot start this season could finally earn him his first All-Star nod as a Met.
“He can impact the game in so many different ways,” Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker said. “He looks amazing at the plate. It’s really fun to watch. And, yeah, man, it’s like, day in and day out, he does something special so it’s cool to see.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Lindor’s brilliance was on full display. His smooth backhanded play in the hole for the third out of the first inning saved some of starting pitcher David Peterson‘s bullets. He walked in the third, singled in the fifth, and singled again in the seventh.
When Starling Marte delivered the game-winning single in the 10th, Lindor was the first to sprint out and celebrate with a hug. His presence is felt everywhere, and his clear-minded approach is paying dividends for the Mets.
“I think you come into the season and you’re trying to get your feet wet and you’re thinking of all these things,” Barnes said. “As opposed to just like, no, it’s just execute the plan. Execute the plan in April. Execute the plan in May. Execute the plan in June. Just execute the plan. And he’s one of the best in the world at being able to go out and execute that plan.
“I know that sounds super simplistic, but for him I really think it’s that.”
Originally Written by: Jorge Castillo
