Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jeff McNeil

Discover the career path of Jeff McNeil, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jeffrey Todd "Jeff" McNeil is a professional baseball utility player for the New York Mets, making his MLB debut in 2018. Known as "Squirrel" or "Flying Squirrel," McNeil achieved significant recognition in 2022. That year, he started in the All-Star Game at second base, won the prestigious MLB Batting Title, and was awarded the Silver Slugger Award, solidifying his status as a key player for the Mets.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: First Mets Second Baseman Since Alfonzo

Jeff McNeil became the first Mets second baseman to win the Silver Slugger Award since Edgardo Alfonzo in 1999.

2011: First Met since José Reyes

Jeff McNeil was the first Met to win the National League batting title since José Reyes in 2011.

2012: Brewster Whitecaps

In 2012, Jeff McNeil played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2013: All-Big West First Team

In 2013, as a junior, Jeff McNeil had a .348 batting average and was named to the All-Big West first team.

2013: Drafted by the New York Mets

In 2013, the New York Mets selected Jeff McNeil in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball draft, and he made his professional debut with the Kingsport Mets that summer.

2013: Mets Position Player to Start All-Star Game

In 2022, Jeff McNeil became the first Mets' position player to start an All-Star Game since David Wright in 2013.

2014: Plays with Savannah Sand Gnats and St. Lucie Mets

In 2014, Jeff McNeil played with the Savannah Sand Gnats and St. Lucie Mets, hitting .292 with three home runs and 51 RBIs.

2015: Plays with St. Lucie and Binghamton Mets

In 2015, Jeff McNeil played with St. Lucie and Binghamton Mets, slashing .308/.369/.377 with one home run and 40 RBIs.

2016: Uses Unorthodox Knobless Bat

In 2016, Jeff McNeil began exclusively using an unorthodox knobless bat given to him by Mets minor league hitting coordinator Lamar Johnson.

2016: First Met Since Céspedes

Jeff McNeil was the first Met to win the Silver Slugger Award since Yoenis Céspedes in 2016.

2017: Limited Games due to Injuries

In 2017, Jeff McNeil played in only 51 games due to numerous injuries.

July 24, 2018: MLB Promotion and First Hit

On July 24, 2018, Jeff McNeil was promoted to the Major Leagues and recorded his first Major League hit against Phil Hughes of the San Diego Padres.

2018: Plays Second Base

After playing second base in all but four defensive games during the 2018 season, McNeil spent the majority of 2019 in left field.

2018: MLB Debut

In 2018, Jeff McNeil made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the New York Mets.

2018: Promoted to Las Vegas

In 2018, Jeff McNeil started the season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and was promoted to Las Vegas during the season.

June 30, 2019: Named to National League All-Star Team

On June 30, 2019, Jeff McNeil was named to the National League All-Star team for the first time.

August 5, 2019: Reaches 200 Career Hits

On August 5, 2019, Jeff McNeil recorded his 200th career hit, becoming the fastest player in Mets history to reach that milestone.

2020: Plays in Left Field

Heading into the 2020 season, MLB Network ranked McNeil the fifth-best third baseman in baseball. In spite of that, McNeil again spent the majority of his games in left field for the Mets.

2021: 2021 Season Performance

In the 2021 season, Jeff McNeil batted .251/.319/.360 with 7 home runs and 35 RBIs in 120 games.

2021: Bounce-back year

Jeff McNeil described the 2022 season as a "bounce-back year" from a comparatively poor 2021.

June 10, 2022: Named to MLB All-Star Game

On June 10, 2022, Jeff McNeil was named to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game as a representative for the National League, the second selection of his career.

November 10, 2022: Wins Silver Slugger Award

On November 10, 2022, Jeff McNeil won his first career Silver Slugger Award for second baseman.

2022: Changes Uniform Number

For the 2022 season, Jeff McNeil changed his uniform number to 1 so newly signed outfielder Starling Marte could wear number 6.

2022: All-Star Game, Batting Title and Silver Slugger Award

In 2022, McNeil started the All-Star Game at second base, won the MLB Batting Title, and the Silver Slugger Award.

2022: Wins National League Batting Title

Jeff McNeil finished the 2022 season with a .326 batting average, winning the National League batting title. He was also the first Met in franchise history to lead MLB in batting average.