New York Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) reacts to hitting a three-run walk-off home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eleventh inning at Citi Field. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Luis Robert Jr. shows he's Mets' biggest X factor with his first big hit

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Mar 28, 2026 8:24 PM ET

The New York Mets completely overhauled their lineup this offseason, saying goodbye to Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil, while bringing in Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr. There were some risks with those moves, including a couple of position changes.

But there is at least an expectation that most of the bats will play, no matter what position they are in the field. That is especially true with Polanco, Bichette and Semien.

The X factor in all of this is Robert Jr.

His performance can make-or-break the Mets' ceiling this season, and on Saturday, he delivered his first big hit of the season in a 4-2 10-inning win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Luis Robert Jr. delivers first big hit with Mets

With the Mets trailing, 2-1, in the bottom of the 10th inning and with two runners on base, Robert Jr. clubbed a game-winning, walk-off three-run home run off rookie pitcher Hunter Barco to give the Mets their second consecutive win to open the season.

WELCOME TO THE NEW YORK METS, LUIS!!! pic.twitter.com/kSJOou0hhu
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 28, 2026

There is no denying Robert Jr.'s talent and upside. His pure skill is off the charts, and when he has been healthy in his career and playing at his best, he has shown he can be an impact player with 30-home run ability, plus defense at a premium and the potential for 20-30 stolen bases.

At his peak, he has been anywhere between a 2.0 and 5.0 Wins Above Replacement Player.

What has held him back has been injuries, consistency, and sometimes the struggles to make contact. Over the past two seasons with the Chicago White Sox, he managed OPS+ marks of only 86 and 86 (100 is considered a league average hitter) while playing in just 200 out of a potential 324 games.

The talent is there. He has shown it in the past. If he can use this fresh start with the Mets as an opportunity to rediscover it, that could significantly raise the Mets' ceiling.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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