Francisco Lindor sets impressive Mets record with plenty of time left

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor set the team record for most RBIs in a season for a shortstop, tying Jose Reyes for that honor.

Reyes last played in Queens in 2018 — which also happened to be his final season in the big leagues. His 81-RBI season took place in 2006, when he and David Wright made for one of the best left-hand sides of the infield in baseball.

That year, Reyes made the All-Star team (one of four), recorded 64 stolen bases and slashed .300/.354/.487, getting on-base at one of the best clips of his entire MLB career.

But Lindor is no slouch either. Since being acquired, the 28-year-old has gone through some struggles. Yet, 2022 is a different story. With more than a month to go in the season, Lindor broke the Mets’ single-season shortstop RBI mark.

Mets: Francisco Lindor is worth every penny

Lindor struggled to acclimate to New York last season, slashing .230/.322/.412 with moderate power. In 2022, those numbers have all improved, and he’s already equalled his home run total from last season.

Much of that has to do with mentality, and comfort playing in the biggest city in the world. The Mets may often play second fiddle to the Yankees (even when they’re arguably the better team), but NYC is a large market, and one that demands constant perfection.

Add in the fact that Lindor signed a huge contract extension just before last season (10 years, $341 million), and it’s easy to see where much of that pressure came from.

With better players around him this year, Lindor has blossomed into the player the Mets knew he could be.