NEW YORK — Within the Mets‘ start to the 2026 season, there are a few gems buried in the miserable open.
There have been strong performances within the failures, as hard as it might be to believe. And with the Mets sitting at 34-47 at the halfway point of the season, there have also been plenty of players who have fallen short of expectations.
This is probably one of those report cards that you should hide from your parents before they get home from work.
Here is who has earned the honor roll and who has received low marks from the Mets midway through 2026:
Mets are certainly glad they kept the towering righty reliever on the roster after he won a spot out of spring training. Has excelled in every bullpen role, from opener to multi-inning to high-leverage, holding a 1.82 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 39⅔ innings.
Since returning from injured list in late May, the left-handed reliever has not given up an earned run in 11 innings over 12 appearances. He’s struck out nine and only allowed five hits and one walk. Doesn’t get much better.
A fractured tibia derailed what could have been a third All-Star bid. Instead, Mets hope his services matter when he returns late in the season. Went on the shelf with a 4-4 record, 2.39 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in nine starts.
On a path to his first All-Star selection as a member of the Mets, with the best OPS (.966) in the National League, along with 17 home runs, 38 RBI and 36 runs, even after missing time with a calf strain.
Maintains a streak of 20 straight appearances and 22 innings without an earned run, helping him hold a 2.18 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.
After opening with a 1.25 ERA in the season’s first two months, veteran left-hander has given up five of his eight earned runs in June.
Since getting his feet under him after a rocky April, Benge is slashing .289/.352/.459 with seven home runs, 24 RBI and 34 runs over the last two months entering Thursday as one half of the club’s “psycho” rookie duo.
Other half of that rookie outfield pair debuted in mid-May and has earned regular playing time, slashing .261/.344/.391 early in his career. His glove and speed has been his best asset so far, with a +3 outs above average in center field.
One of the most pleasant surprises of the Mets’ season, Warren was called up and optioned twice in late April but has earned a regular role with his ability to eat innings and spin the baseball. He’s posted a 2.56 ERA across 31⅔ innings.
Evolved into one of the Mets’ most reliable starters following Holmes’ injury. Right-hander is 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA in his first season back from internal brace surgery before hitting the shelf with a hip impingement.
When the rookie right-hander is right, he’s one of the most unhittable arms in the league. He’s had more hiccups than expected, maintaining a 4-5 record with a 4.03 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 106 strikeouts.
Mets did not re-sign the backup backstop for his bat. His .577 OPS leaves much to be desired, but he continues to be one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, catching 12 out of the 16 runners who have attempted to steal against him.
Williams’ 4.44 ERA is a bit deceptive. Since a run of four outings with eight runs in mid-May, Williams has pitched to a 2.33 ERA. Twenty-three of his 29 appearances have come without an earned run.
Journeyman left-hander has filled a much-needed role in mop-up duty since joining the Mets in late May. He is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 12⅔ innings with the team.
Has been an important left-handed bat at first base and designated hitter, given the team’s injuries. Has seen production drop-off some since landing on the IL with a torn meniscus but still holds a .785 OPS with six home runs and 14 RBI.
Possesses one of the streakiest bats in the Mets’ lineup. When he’s swinging it well can provide a serious power boost. His .762 OPS is second on the team among players with at least 40 games. His defense behind the plate has been shaky and he’s proven to be prone to injury.
Has the Mets’ prize free-agent signing finally shaken off a woeful start? Entered June with a .583 OPS and has elevated it by more than 100 points with 12 extra-base hits in the month. Leads team with 45 RBI. Glove has been inconsistent.
Haunted by an inability to get deep in games along with challenges to put batters away. A 10-run outing bloated his ERA but it was a middling 3.90 before that start. Has not been the ace that Mets had hoped for.
Mets were counting on a step up in production from infielder following his stellar second half in 2025. Baty’s 70 OPS+ has left a lot to be desired, but his defense remained crisp when tasked with filling in at third base following Francisco Lindor‘s injury.
With the Mets searching for answers in their rotation, the left-hander is back in after beginning in the bullpen. But his season has largely been filled with mixed results as he has notched a 4.87 ERA in 17 outings with a 1.41 WHIP.
Myers exited April with five earned runs allowed in 19⅓ innings but has fallen on tough times, including a trip to Triple-A Syracuse when the Mets were in a roster pinch. Has given up 17 runs in his last 10 major league appearances.
Vientos’ electric bat has largely been stashed away this season. There have been flashes, with 10 home runs and 34 RBI but his .649 OPS has squeezed him into a time share for at-bats. Defense has provided more blips than highlights.
Before landing on the injured list with a right hip flexor strain, Taylor was playing average defense and resigned to a fourth outfield role with the rapid rises of Benge and Ewing, even following an injury to Luis Robert Jr.
Spring training and early-season magic has largely evaporated. Outfielder is slashing .186/.312/.347 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 55 games entering Thursday.
Senga entered his last start allowing one earned run per inning in his first six starts. Then, he gave up seven earned runs in 3⅔ innings to send his ERA north of 10. Now he’s been pushed into a bullpen role.
It’s hard to put all the blame on the Mets manager when there have been key injuries up and down the roster, but the team sputtered out of the gate with an almost full complement of players, and he has never been able to get them back on course.
The Mets’ president of baseball operations gutted the team’s core after a disappointing 2025 season and the results have gotten worse. Gambles on players with injury histories have not paid off and the rotation continues to be a major flaw, obscuring the team’s lone strength: its bullpen.
Incomplete: Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets roster report card halfway through 2026 season
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