By exceeding minimal expectations over the past week, the New York Mets’ young bats have continued to give their loyal fans reason to believe that the future is bright.

New York’s youth has brought life back to Flushing. At this time last week, the Mets were riding a four-game losing streak and had lost five of their last six. Prior to yesterday’s loss, the club was riding four-game winning streak, and have won five of their last seven.

While much of the youthful infusion the Mets have had on their roster over the past six weeks has played a role in that recent success, three youngsters have taken the MLB world by storm. Let’s take a look at who they are.

1B Dominic Smith

Over his past five games, Smith is hitting .352 with two extra base hits and four RBI. While he hasn’t hit for the average (.210) his Triple-A numbers suggested he would, the 22-year-old has proven worthy in clutch situations.

In yesterday’s 10-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Smith tied the game in the third inning with a RBI single and later gave the Mets a 3-2 lead with a solo home run in the sixth.

After a brutal August, he’s posted a .273/.351/.455 triple-slash line in September, adding four extra-base hits (one HR), six RBI and five runs scored. Those are the kind of numbers that nobody should be complaining about.

LF Brandon Nimmo

When given a chance to play, Nimmo has been dominant. Since Aug. 16, Nimmo has hit .299 with seven extra-base hits (three home runs), 12 RBI, 16 runs scored and nearly as many walks (17) as strikeouts (21).

Over the past week, he’s hit .450 with a 1.352 OPS.

On Sept. 4, Nimmo went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. Three games later, following a two RBI performance against the Phillies, Nimmo went 3-for-4 and smacked his second and third home runs of the season.

The 23-year-old is currently riding a four-game hitting streak and is hitting .281 with a .414 on-base percentage, eight extra-base hits (three homers), 14 RBI and a .829 OPS on the season. He’s made a strong case for an everyday role in 2018.

Kevin Plawecki

Plawecki has been scorching hot for the New York Mets of late. Considering Travis d’Arnaud‘s seemingly constant struggles, Plawecki has a real shot at being the Mets’ starting catcher in 2018.

Over his past seven games, Plawecki is hitting .294 with a .922 OPS. Over his last three contests, the 26-year-old has gone 4-for-12 with three extra base hits, including a go-ahead two-run blast in the second inning of Saturday’s 6-1 win over the Reds.

Although he has seen just 67 at bats in 2017, Plawecki has seven runs, two home runs, nine RBI, and a stolen base to his name.

Aside from the three players listed above, Travis Taijeron and Gavin Cecchini have both looked like potential pieces of the team’s long-term plans.

Of course, Amed Rosario remains the centerpiece of the team’s future. But it’s nice to know that he might have some more help than many thought he’d have in turning the Mets back into a contender.