eff McNeil Hits Fifth? A Closer Look at the Mets’ Former Star Moving to the Athletics

No doubt, the Athletics from Parts Unknown are emerging as one of baseball’s rising teams. Their offseason strategy has been subtle but smart, and they hit big in the “buy low” lottery by acquiring Jeff McNeil from the New York Mets. Traded for a 17-year-old prospect, McNeil will join a young roster where his veteran presence will be immediately felt.

McNeil is projected to play second base and—perhaps surprisingly—hit fifth in the Athletics’ lineup. For Mets fans, this news might trigger a flashback or two, recalling McNeil’s time in the middle of the Amazins’ order. Hitting behind Jacob Wilson, a .313 hitter, gives the Athletics a nice lefty/righty split in the heart of the lineup—but it also raises questions about roster construction.

The Fifth Spot: Shallow or Strategic?

For Jeff McNeil, the fifth spot has been more familiar than fans might realize. During his tenure with the Mets, he hit fifth more than anywhere else in 2025. That was part of a larger trend throughout his career: McNeil has filled multiple spots in the order, from leadoff to cleanup, often depending on injuries, matchups, or roster construction.

The concern with batting McNeil fifth in the Athletics’ lineup isn’t about his ability—it’s about what it says regarding the depth of a team’s starting nine. McNeil’s .827 OPS in the fifth slot for the Mets was respectable, but it was actually second-best compared to when he batted eighth (.830 OPS). Lineup placement didn’t fully explain his highs or lows; context, surrounding hitters, and matchups played a bigger role.

Over his career, McNeil has logged 615 plate appearances hitting fifth, compared with 610 in the sixth hole and 606 batting leadoff. The bulk of his leadoff experience came in 2019, when Brandon Nimmo was sidelined for most of the year and the Mets had not yet acquired Francisco Lindor. It made sense then: McNeil was in his prime, and he had the discipline, contact ability, and on-base skills to set the table for the lineup.

The middle of the lineup, however, never felt like a natural home for him. While he can produce in the five-hole, his career numbers there (.259 batting average in 100+ plate appearances) rank as his third-worst of any slot, largely reflecting the Mets’ tendency to force him into the heart of the order out of necessity rather than fit. McNeil excelled when given the freedom to operate in spots that matched his skill set—top of the order, sixth, or seventh.

McNeil in the Mets Era: Context Matters

It’s important to contextualize McNeil’s time with the Mets. In 2024, he often served as the team’s cleanup hitter, a role that never fully suited his strengths. He was a high-contact, high-OBP player who thrives when he can leverage pitchers’ mistakes and get on base consistently. The Mets, hoping he could anchor the middle of the order, often asked too much of him in situations that demanded more power than his profile suggested.

When the Mets failed to develop younger hitters around him, McNeil frequently found himself in the fifth spot—not because it was ideal, but because the team had few alternatives. Against right-handed starters, he was often pushed higher in the lineup, which may have inflated the perception that he was capable of producing like a traditional middle-of-the-order bat. While he delivered at times, the fit was never perfect.

The move to the Athletics represents a different situation. Unlike the Mets’ injury-laden, uneven roster, the Athletics’ lineup is projected to be balanced, with McNeil hitting behind a strong lefty in Jacob Wilson. Yet, the underlying question remains: is the fifth spot optimal for McNeil’s skill set? Historically, his best seasons have come when he batted near the top or lower-middle of the order, where he could leverage his ability to get on base and turn the lineup over efficiently.

What Athletics Fans Should Know

Despite the projections, the fifth spot may not make or break McNeil’s season. He is versatile, disciplined, and capable of producing value wherever he hits. The concern lies more in perception than performance. For Mets fans, seeing him bat fifth evokes memories of the lineup struggles that contributed to missing the playoffs. For Athletics fans, it’s an opportunity to add a steady veteran to a young roster while maintaining flexibility elsewhere in the order.

The trade also signals the Athletics’ broader strategy: rely on youth, sprinkle in veteran guidance, and hope to maximize matchups. McNeil’s presence at second base provides defensive stability, while his plate discipline and high-contact approach give the team a reliable bat behind Wilson. Even if the fifth spot isn’t perfect, McNeil’s skills will likely generate positive outcomes, especially in high-leverage situations.

A Career of Adaptation

Jeff McNeil’s career has been defined by adaptability. From leadoff to cleanup, he has delivered value across multiple spots in the lineup. His experience with the Mets, including 615 appearances batting fifth, provides both lessons and cautionary tales. He thrived when used in line with his strengths and struggled when forced into roles that demanded different skills.

For the Athletics, the hope is that McNeil can bring stability and veteran presence to a young club while contributing offensively in a way that aligns with his historical performance. Where he bats may matter less than how he approaches the at-bats, maintains consistency, and integrates into a lineup built for balance and flexibility.

In the end, the fifth spot is more symbolic than substantive. It reminds Mets fans of past frustrations while offering Athletics fans a glimpse of what disciplined hitting can add to a rising team. McNeil’s career shows he is capable of adapting, producing, and providing leadership. Whether hitting fifth, sixth, or atop the order, the veteran second baseman brings value that goes beyond a number in the lineup.

For fans feeling nostalgic—or anxious—about the fifth spot, take comfort in the fact that McNeil’s impact is rarely defined solely by the number next to his name. It’s defined by how he performs, how he leads, and how he helps a young roster grow. The Athletics might have hit the jackpot in more ways than one.