Brett Baty, 3B
Baty hit .312/.406/.544 as a 22-year-old at Double-A in 2022. His .950 OPS is the seventh-best mark by a hitter that age or younger at Double-A. That’s true for seasons of at least 350 plate appearances dating back to 2006, which is far back as FanGraphs minor league data goes.
Hitters on the list who represent good MLB outcomes for the type of hitter Baty might become include Alex Gordon and Adam Lind. They were strong, disciplined lefthanded hitters with quality on-base skills and the ability to reach 20 to 25 home runs in their peak seasons.
But Baty reminds me a bit of a different lefthanded-hitting MLB third baseman.
The Rockies’ Ryan McMahon would have appeared on the list of outstanding 22-year-old Double-A hitters, but he batted just 205 times for Hartford in 2017 before moving to Triple-A.
McMahon struggled mightily in his first two partial MLB seasons, hitting .225 with five homers and a 69 OPS+ in 108 games. Baty has logged 119 games in two partial seasons. His numbers: .210 with 11 homers and a 65 OPS+.
While it’s doubtful that Baty will ever develop the defensive chops McMahon has shown at third base, it’s also likely he won’t have to sell out for power as dramatically as McMahon, who has a career 29% strikeout rate.
Baty hit respectably for his first 30 games as a rookie in 2023 before the wheels fell off. He regrouped at Triple-A later in the season, and after an offseason spent strengthening his top, non-dominant hand, he should be more prepared for what MLB pitchers have in store.
The bottom line is that it’s rare for young hitters to be as productive as Baty was at Double-A. Most of them find big league success.
Eventually.
9 comments:
This is an interesting take by Eddy and last year I wrote a few times that I felt Baty may become another Alex Gordon: a third baseman that couldn’t handle third in the majors and as we may recall failed several times before becoming a gold glove winning and all star left fielder. It’s why not letting the kid try the outfield more bothered me, since he has the athleticism. Question is, in NYC, are the Mets fans capable of letting the kid figure it out?
Eddy is a good scout friend
Let me know if you want me to ask Jim anything.else about BB
2 for 4 today for Brett and Vientos. JD Davis DFA. Get him cheap, dump DJ?
Tom,
Yes. How much salary would the Mets have to take on? That could be a factor
D J, not sure. He will accept the most favorable deal, I’d imagine.
Thank you. I will.
Please ask: Does Brett Baty have slider bat speed, or can he hit elite heat?
Fastballs generally haven't been a problem for Baty. Breaking balls, esp. down and in, have.
RC, interesting. We'll see.
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