For Mets fans they finally got the first of several wishes on their collective lists when the Invisible Man aka Mark Vientos was allowed to start the game as the team's designated hitter and collected two hits which is more than the collective aggregate of wannabes would get in a week's playing time.
It suggests that the man who has obliterated AAA pitching for two years might actually be able to contribute to the offense if given the opportunity to do so. Stories leaked out that Buck Showalter was planning on giving Vientos a three game strech of playing time assumed to be at the DH role, though theoretically it could also mean spelling either Brett Baty at 3B or Pete Alonso at 1B for some of those games. Still, at-bats were as rare for Vientos as are stolen bases for Daniel Vogelbach.
The other big development for the Mets is the continued progress of young catcher Francisco Alvarez who is starting to show that the hype regarding his offensive prowess was not just exaggeration.
Brett Baty's hitting has had its ups and downs (as has his defense) but even the most jaded of media types and Mets fans can certainly see the raw talent the man possesses. Although the more highly compensated Eduardo Escobar was forced to the bench to make room for the lefty swinging rookie, the fact is that Baty is showing as he matures into the big league hot corner role that he is here to stay.
Now everyone is waiting for the final Fourth Baseball Cap Wearing Horseman of Syracuse to join his trio of already promoted former teammates. If indeed Vientos will receive some consideration as a DH, then it would appear Ronny Mauricio's role would be as either a second baseman with Jeff McNeil moving permanently to left field, or as a newly minted outfielder with McNeil playing between Alonso and Francisco Lindor.
Now if only there was a similar pipeline of pitching talent to fortify the collection of arms that take the mound...
7 comments:
Us elder fans remember Jim Wynn, the Toy Cannon, who was smaller than Alvarez but had big power. And Willie Mays was listed at 5’10”, 170.
Alvarez has giant power in a short frame.
Alvarez is not small. 220 pounds packed into a 5'10 frame makes a very powerful body.
Us elders also remember the old Reese who was always anti-Mets in his postings.
Turns out I was right. It wasn't the Mets he hated... it was the ownership and management.
It's early, but I wouldn't be surprised if Alvarez is named to the All-Star game as a reserve.
And I believe that both he and Baty are now candidates for ROTY.
But, as I said, it's early.
Very exciting on all 3 kids with RonnieMo soon to follow but the pitching mess is hard to swallow and no idea how their going to handle it and if Max and JV don't right the ship it will sink. The gut punch from JV's last game still linger's and lets face it unless the FO is going to trade one or more of the kids (PLEASE NOOOOO) I don't how we can improve the pitching any idea's guys?
There are always salary dumps from the weak teams, especially for rentals. They will cost prospects, but not top ones.
I blame Terry for our problems this season. 😅
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