Deep Dive Into Newest Met Nick Madrigal

Nick Madrigal, INF

Position: INF B/T: R/R
Age: 27 (03/05/1997)

2024 Traditional Stats: 94 PA, .221/.280/.256/.535, 19 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI
2024 Advanced Stats: 57 wRC+, 10.6% SO%, 4.3% BB%, .250 BABIP, .270 xwOBA, -0.7 fWAR, -5 OAA

The Candelita/Jose Iglesias era in Queens appears to be over. The Mets signed infielder Nick Madrigal to a one-year contract for the 2025 season. It’s a split deal for the 27-year-old, who becomes the likely new bench infielder for the Mets. Of note, Madrigal owns a minor league option, meaning the Mets can start him in Triple-A Syracuse if they desire when the season opens.

Rundown

Madrigal, a fourth overall pick in the 2018 Draft, debuted for the Chicago White Sox in 2020 before being traded to the other side of town in 2022. The infielder immediately came out of the gates swinging for the South Side, compiling a .317/.358/.406/.764 line across 83 games for the White Sox. The team traded him to the Cubs in 2022, where his production took a dip, although his best season came in 2023. Before the Cubs non-tendered him in December 2024, Madrigal put up a .251/.304/.312/.616 line for the team through 202 games.

The infielder has seen action at both third base and second base but played a handful of games in the outfield and at shortstop during his time in the minors. He’s never been an everyday player, mostly due to his time on the injured list. In 2021, he led the White Sox in hits until he hit the 60-day IL with a right hamstring tear, ending his season.

While Madrigal doesn’t possess much power or pop, he only has four career home runs through 868 at-bats, he’s a hard strikeout for pitchers and puts the ball in play. His numbers don’t qualify him for leaderboards, but each season he’s played, if ranked, Madrigal would have landed in the top percentiles in strikeout rate percentage. He doesn’t walk, as evidenced by his low rate, but Madrigal’s biggest asset to the Mets will likely come in the field.

Injury again derailed Madrigal’s 2024 campaign, but he posted his best defensive season in 2023. He ranked in the 96th percentile in OAA (outs above average), recording nine. This placed him in the 88th percentile in fielding run value at eight. For reference, in 2024, Francisco Lindor led the Mets in OAA with 16, followed by Harrison Bader at 10. Tyrone Taylor came in third place at six OAA, followed by Jose Iglesias and Brett Baty with two OAA.

Grade: B

As much as everyone would have loved to see Jose Iglesias back, the Mets made a strategic move here. Unlike Iglesias, Madrigal holds a minor league option, which could hold value if the team starts someone like Baty or Acuña with the big league club.

The signing is reminiscent of Joey Wendle or Zack Short, but again, Madrigal’s option makes him an attractive player. He provides versatility on the field, something David Stearns and company has proven to be a fan of. Health has been the biggest detriment to Madrigal’s career thus far. If he can stay healthy and on the field, he can try and get back to the player many believed he could be.

At just 27, 28, come Opening Day, he’s still young, with much to prove. A change of scenery could be just what the infielder needs for things to click.

Overall, it’s a move that won’t shift the team one way or another, but his biggest benefit might be in close games as a defensive replacement. However, if they can unlock something in his bat, it’s another bonus.

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