Jeff McNeil edges out Freddie Freeman to win NL batting title

New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) acknowledges fans after being announced as the national league batting champion after the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Mets' Jeff McNeil edges out Dodgers' Freddie Freeman to win 2022 NL batting title

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/5/22

A year removed from the worst statistical season of his career, New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil clinched the National League batting title Wednesday, on the final date of the 2022 regular season.

McNeil edged out Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman for the batting title. McNeil finished with a .326 average, .001 points ahead of Freeman (.325), who needed to go 4-for-4 in the Dodgers' season finale against the Colorado Rockies to overtake the Mets' All-Star.

Your 2022 batting champ! ️ pic.twitter.com/2K3vfBEkPg
— New York Mets (@Mets) October 6, 2022

A former 12-round draft pick, McNeil joins former shortstop Jose Reyes as the only other Mets players in franchise history to win a batting title.

"It's definitely a dream come true," McNeil told reporters after the game. "This is one of my goals in baseball to win a batting title. Last year wasn't a great year for me. So I kind of wanted to, you know, get back to who I am and was lucky enough to be rewarded for that."

Last season, McNeil finished with a career-low .251 batting average but bounced back, posting his highest average since his rookie year when he batted .329, playing in only 63 games.

The 30-year-old wraps up the 2022 regular season slashing .326/.382/.454 with 174 hits, nine home runs, and 62 RBI.

McNeil and the Mets finished the season 101-61 after a 9-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.

New York clinched the top wildcard spot in the National League, drawing the San Diego Padres in the opening round. The Mets will host the Padres for Game 1 of the Wildcard Round Friday at 8:07 p.m.

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