NY Mets stock watch after 40 games. Who's trending up, and who's down

The top of the Mets' starting rotation has been the team's strength through 40 games, and Clay Holmes is at the forefront of that boost.

Holmes has not only been the Mets' best starting pitcher, but one of the finest in the National League. His 1.86 ERA is second-best in the NL, and he has not allowed more than two earned runs in any start this season.

The veteran right-hander was bit by some bad luck some last time out against the Diamondbacks when he came within one out of completing six innings, but he has notched quality starts in three of his last four outings.

Carson Benge

New York Mets center fielder Carson Benge (3) is interviewed following the win over the Colorado Rockies on May 4, 2026, at Coors Field.

The Mets have badly needed a spark from anywhere in their lineup, and the rookie outfielder was that source over the course of the road trip.

During the nine-game trip, Benge finished 7-of-26 (.269) with one home run, five RBI and six runs. Against the Rockies, he broke up Tomoyuki Sugano's no-hit bid with a solo blast and collected two hits, two runs and two RBI one day later.

Benge provided some key insurance with an RBI double in the 10th inning of the Mets' win on Friday and knocked the team's first hit on Sunday. All the while, he's made a handful of spectacular plays across the outfield. He's raised his batting average from .136 at the beginning of last homestand to .207 by the end of this past trip.

Freddy Peralta

New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) delivers a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning on May 6, 2026, at Coors Field.

Freddy Peralta admitted that he was a bit relieved to get back in the win column last time out against the Rockies. He worked through some steady traffic in the frigid temperatures to toss five scoreless innings and improve to 2-3 with his first win since Opening Day.

Peralta, like Nolan McLean, has been a victim of a lack of run production in his outings. Before his start against the Rockies, Peralta had given up two earned runs or fewer in three of his previous four starts, including two quality outings, but was dealt three losses.

In his last five starts, Peralta has managed a 2.22 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP to keep the Mets in games.

Brooks Raley

Who has been the steadiest member of the Mets bullpen? Look no further than 37-year-old left-hander Brooks Raley, who gets by with his wicked sweeper and a pair of high-80s fastballs.

Raley, who has not allowed an earned run over his last eight outings, carries a 1.20 ERA and 0.87 WHIP after the first 40 games of the season. He has only allowed more than one baserunner in a frame twice in his 16 outings this season.

WHO'S NOT?

Sean Manaea

New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) hands the ball to manager Carlos Mendoza (64) in front of first baseman Brett Baty (7) during a pitching change during the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals on April 29, 2026, at Citi Field.

While Mendoza was encouraged by Sean Manaea's scoreless ninth inning, the club has been unable to trust the veteran left-hander in meaningful situations out of the bullpen since the middle of April.

In his last five outings dating back to April 17, Manaea has given up 14 earned runs in 11⅓ innings (11.10 ERA). Mendoza brought him on in a six-run game in Colorado, and the lefty loaded the bases, forcing the manager to deploy Devin Williams.

At this point, Manaea is being used in mop-up duty and low-leverage situations.

Bo Bichette

Some of Bo Bichette's early struggles have been due to bad luck. The infielder's .283 expected batting average is in the top 15 percent of MLB. But his 40.4 percent chase rate is in the bottom 7 percent, and he's hitting ground balls 54.5 percent of the time - 6.6 points higher than his career average.

Saddled with the large responsibility of being a leader of the Mets lineup following several major injuries, Bichette has been unable to come through regularly of late. In the Mets' last five series, he is slashing .193/.266/.246 with one home run, four RBI and five runs.

Francisco Alvarez

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) rounds the bases after hitting an Opening Day home-run, Thursday, March 26, 2026.

When the Mets entered their last homestand through 20 games, Francisco Alvarez had shown enough offensive firepower to be deployed at the top of the lineup. He was slashing .268/.379/.500 with four home runs, five RBI and eight runs.

But in the six series since, Alvarez is hitting .204/.241/.259 with three doubles, four RBI, three runs and 16 strikeouts in 16 games. He has grounded into 10 double plays this season - most in MLB - including seven in the last six series.

Brett Baty

At the start of the last homestand, it appeared Brett Baty was beginning to shake off his slow start. He collected five hits in 10 at-bats, including one home run, five RBI and four runs.

But since then, Baty has gone 5-for-36 (.139) with two doubles, one RBI, five runs and 10 strikeouts.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets players after 40 games this season, who's hot and who's not