Mets' Semien Struggles to Find Footing at Plate

The veteran infielder's early-season slump raises concerns about his ability to bounce back

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:37pm by Ben Kaplan

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the overlapping planes and angles of a baseball player's batting stance and swing, conveying the mechanical issues underlying Semien's early-season slump.Semien's mechanical struggles at the plate are laid bare in this cubist-inspired illustration, capturing the veteran's inability to consistently square up pitches.San Francisco Today

Marcus Semien, the New York Mets' high-priced offseason acquisition, is off to a brutal start at the plate, slashing just .130/.250/.174 with a wRC+ of 36 through his first seven games. The underlying numbers reveal Semien is striking out at a much higher rate, getting behind in counts, and struggling to pull the ball with his usual authority, all signs that this is more than just a temporary cold spell.

Why it matters

Semien's struggles are a major concern for the Mets, who signed him to a lucrative long-term deal in the hopes he would provide a steady, productive bat in the middle of their lineup. If Semien can't turn things around quickly, it could put significant strain on the team's offense and raise questions about the wisdom of the contract.

The details

Semien's strikeout rate has spiked to 28.6%, nearly 11 points higher than his career average, as pitchers have been able to get ahead of him early in counts. His fly ball rate has jumped to 62.5%, well above his career norm of 43.2%, while his pull rate has plummeted to just 18.8%, compared to a career mark of 46.3%. These metrics suggest Semien is late on pitches and unable to drive the ball with his typical authority.

  • Through his first 28 plate appearances of the 2026 season
  • In 2023, Semien posted a wRC+ of 128 and finished with 6.5 WAR
  • In 2025, Semien struggled to a .230/.305/.364 line with an 89 wRC+

The players

Marcus Semien

A veteran infielder who signed a lucrative long-term contract with the New York Mets in the offseason, but is off to a dismal start at the plate.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets, who has expressed confidence in Semien despite his early-season struggles.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like [pitchers] are attacking him, they are getting ahead and then they are making him chase”

— Carlos Mendoza, Manager, New York Mets

What’s next

If Semien's pull rate does not improve and his strikeout rate does not drop back towards his career norms within the next two or three weeks, the questions around him will likely intensify, and the Mets' patience with the veteran could become a more pressing storyline.

The takeaway

Semien's early-season struggles are a major concern for the Mets, as the underlying numbers suggest this is more than just a temporary cold spell. The team needs Semien to rediscover his form quickly, or else his lucrative contract could become a source of significant strain on the team's offense.