Francisco Lindor's Patience Elevates NY Mets Lineup Despite Slow Start

The star shortstop's disciplined approach at the plate is keeping the Mets' offense afloat early in the season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:00pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting Francisco Lindor's batting stance and swing broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the Mets' team colors, conceptually representing the shortstop's patient and disciplined approach at the plate.Lindor's disciplined approach at the plate is keeping the Mets' offense alive while the team waits for his power to return.NYC Today

Despite a slow start to the season at the plate, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has found a way to elevate the team's lineup through his patience and plate discipline. Though his batting average and slugging percentage are low, Lindor has drawn walks in five straight games and owns a .394 on-base percentage through the first seven games. This approach is keeping the Mets' offense alive while the team waits for Lindor's power and run production to catch up.

Why it matters

As the Mets' leadoff hitter, Lindor's ability to get on base is crucial for setting the table for the middle of the order, which includes stars like Juan Soto and Bo Bichette. Even when Lindor's traditional offensive numbers are down, his willingness to take walks is preventing the top of the Mets' lineup from going quiet while the team waits for the hits to start falling.

The details

Through his first 23 at-bats this season, Lindor has just three hits with a .304 slugging percentage. However, he has drawn nine walks, giving him a .394 on-base percentage. This stretch represents Lindor's second-longest walk streak (five games) and second-highest walk total (nine) over a seven-game span in his career. The only time he topped these numbers came in July 2024, when he walked 10 times in seven games with a six-game walk streak. Lindor's career high in walks with the Mets is 66, and he is already trending toward surpassing that mark early in the 2026 season.

  • Through his first 23 at-bats this season (as of April 3, 2026)
  • Lindor has drawn walks in five straight games

The players

Francisco Lindor

The New York Mets' star shortstop, known for his slow starts to the season but also for his ability to elevate the team's offense when he gets on base.

Juan Soto

One of the Mets' middle-of-the-order stars, batting behind Lindor in the lineup.

Bo Bichette

Another middle-of-the-order star for the Mets, batting behind Lindor in the lineup.

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What’s next

If Lindor's patient approach at the plate continues to pay off, it could help lift the entire Mets lineup and provide a spark while the team waits for his traditional offensive numbers to catch up.

The takeaway

Lindor's willingness to take walks and get on base, even when his batting average and power numbers are down, is a testament to his discipline and is keeping the Mets' offense afloat early in the season. This approach could prove crucial in elevating the lineup and setting the table for the middle-of-the-order stars.