LOS ANGELES — Francisco Lindor’s hot start for the Mets encompasses more than his productivity at the plate.
There is plenty to like about his defense these days, whether it’s making acrobatic plays, reacting to bad hops or handling routine grounders flawlessly.
The Mets shortstop entered Tuesday with a 0.6 defensive WAR — as measured by Baseball Reference — that was tied for first among all major league players.
The Fielding Bible had Lindor ranked first, as of Monday, among all major league shortstops with plus-five in runs saved.
Lindor predicted last season that the elimination of dramatic shifts would improve his game defensively, and to this point he has been proven correct.
Last season, Lindor was minus-two in runs saved, according to the Fielding Bible.
“This is so much fun that I can just go to the baseball and I don’t have to worry about running into anybody,” Lindor said before the Mets faced the Dodgers on Tuesday night. “I have a lot of real estate to cover and I have got to be on my toes there the entire time. I have got to anticipate. I have got to be in the game.”
The ban on dramatic shifts — two infielders are now required on each side of second base, with their feet touching the dirt — is only part of what could be benefitting Lindor.
The new improved pace with the pitch clock could also be a factor.
“The game is faster,” Lindor said. “There’s more plays. There is more ground that I have to cover. But before it was just step and a dive and 3 ½-hour games, I was looking around a lot. But I think it’s good for everyone.”
The Mets as a team were tied for fifth in defensive runs saved, as of Monday, according to the Fielding Bible.
Other than shortstop, the Mets were receiving solid defense from their pitchers (plus-two) and third basemen (plus-two).
The Mets had plenty going for them offensively in an 8-6 victory over the Dodgers on Monday, but manager Buck Showalter was quick to note Lindor’s defensive contributions. Included was a Mookie Betts grounder that took a late bad hop that Lindor gloved and turned into an out.
“He has been playing shortstop about as good as you can play it,” Showalter said. “He has been fun to watch.”
Lindor has delivered at bat: he entered play with a .230/.360/.525 slash line with four homers, and his 17 RBIs led the National League. But his early defensive play, which has included going errorless in 17 games to the start the season, has set him apart.
“I love it,” Lindor said. “I just being on defense and being a defensive player I take a lot of pride in it. I take a lot of pride in hitting, too, but whenever I can help the team on the defensive side it feels so much better because I am not by myself.
“When I am in the [batter’s] box I am by myself. On defense I am helping the pitcher out. He executes. He gets the result that he wants when the ball is coming to me and I have got to finish the play.”