In an exhibition game at Clover Park on Tuesday, before his side defeated the Cardinals 3-1, McNeil stated, “I definitely got a little bit delayed, but there is still plenty of time to get ready.”
After three plate appearances and five innings spent at second base, McNeil went 0-for-2 with a walk.
Following a day off on Wednesday, he will return to the Grapefruit League on Thursday, with the Brewers opener at Citi Field on March 28 quickly approaching.
Against Lance Lynn, in his first at-bat of the spring, McNeil worked an 11-pitch walk while exhibiting his signature tenacity. During the at-bat, McNeil fouled off six pitches.
There were moments when it felt like a typical at-bat, according to McNeil. “Get as many swings as you can in three at-bats, because I was thinking I might not get a second at-bat if I took too many right there.”
Early in camp, McNeil experienced biceps soreness that prevented him from swinging. It took him two weeks to gradually build up, and last weekend was the first time he was allowed to take swings against high velocity.
Regarding his late start, McNeil stated, “There are times when having fewer at-bats could be advantageous as well.” “Those negative attitudes and poor behaviors don’t come to you. I’ve always been successful with live batting practice early in the season because you kind of let your natural skill take over.
McNeil, far from being the traditional cleanup hitter, would provide a different perspective on the field. Additionally, Mendoza might divide his order between right- and left-handed hitters if McNeil batted fourth.
“We can discuss Pete and who strikes him from behind, but who strikes him from the front as well?” Mendoza stated. “That’s a way to keep him safe, and if you put guys on base, it puts the onus on the other team to decide whether or not to pitch to him.” These are some of the factors we’re considering; it’s not always about who hits behind [Alonso], but rather about who hits in front of him.
Through his tenure, McNeil has moved about the lineup.
“I’ll take any action,” he declared. “It is irrelevant. All you want is to be in the starting lineup every day and do everything it takes to help this team win.
It’s possible that the starting lineup for the Mets in the first game is the same one they used against the Cardinals, though not necessarily in that order. Included were Harrison Bader in center field, Brett Baty at third base, and Mark Vientos in the DH position.
After a season in which he struggled until early September and then picked up his game in the last month, McNeil is hoping to bounce back. He had a slash line of.270/.333/.378 overall, with 10 home runs and 55 RBIs.
According to McNeil, the objective is to get roughly 20 at-bats in exhibition games before to the opener.
He remarked, “I kind of had to get in as many [games] as possible.” “Make sure I see big league pitchers and get as many at-bats as possible.” Hitting in the big league games will be crucial since the [minor league] side is a different place to be.
