What exactly do the Mets have in Mark Vientos’ buddy, Brett Baty?
It seems that each time he returns to Syracuse he exhibits some solid hitting yet each time he advances to New York aside from a hot game or two he quickly fades into a .220 type of hitter without demonstrating the overall dominance he showed in AAA.
Where he surprises is in his power. His contact hitting has been suspect ever since his 2021 scouting reports with a bit too much swing and miss to make him a worthy everyday player. What is improving, however is his ability to drive the ball over the fence.
The old scouting reports gave him a 60 grade for power. Using Baseball America as a guideline for grades it translates to 28-33 home runs. That’s pretty serious power for a ballplayer, particularly if the very recent shift from third base to second base evolves into reality. Baty is not a solid hitter against left handed pitching but he is indeed potent against right handed pitching.
Right now as the Mets continue to try to figure out who they are, they have Mark Vientos showing power from the right side. After his return to the majors he is hitting .309 with 5 HRs and 16 RBIs in 80+ at-bats. While the .309 is not likely to last, the run production extrapolated over a full season would amount to 40 HRs and 96 RBIs. You could certainly live with that.
Then you have the currently injured switch hitter Ronny Mauricio who has already demonstrated the ability to hit for average, power and showing off stolen base ability. Had he not landed on the IL he likely would have been in the mix for a lot of playing time in 2024 in Queens.
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Right now know one knows what to make of Baty. Is he a slow adjuster to the major league level, is he perhaps a power hitting threat ready to take over at 2nd base or is the best move for the Mets to bundle him in trade?
Personally I’m all for seeing what Baty can do at the major league level if indeed a McNeil move is made. I like having Jose Iglesias around as a solid backup but at age 34 he’s in the latter states of his career and not someone around whom you build for the future as a starter.
If you promote him to the majors he could man 3rd base if you indeed have another role for Vientos. Do you trade away current hero J.D. Martinez and make Vientos a young DH? Do you trade Pete Alonso rather than losing him for nothing at year’s end and open up first base for Vientos?
I’d like to see if Baty really has it in him to be better than an average major leaguer which is what the scouts concluded three years ago. At 2B he could be a bit more. At 3B, maybe not.
I just think it is so fluid. Last night, Edwin looked very good, if not 2022 great. So, the team is officially warm, with I think 8 of their last 11, if not hot. Can they sustain it? One thing seems certain: Baty has to be close to bumping a DJ Stewart. Oddly, Baty played 3rd last night. Why not 2nd, who knows. But he is 14 for 27, with 3 HRs and 10 RBIs in Syracuse. I'd bring him back. Someone must leave. But, while it makes all the financial sense in the world to depth charge this team, teams that can win 8 of every 11 are playoff-bound. The guillotine is on hold.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Baty
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't read much into him playing second base
I agree. The S-Mets said his game there was a one-off.
DeleteBut if he gets the promotion he's earning, where does he play? 3B, DH and 1B are spoken for. Only a sharp dropoff by Baty or a trade of Pete or JDM would open playing time for Baty.
Mets need to get cheaper and younger in the future.
ReplyDeleteVientos 1b, Mauricio 2b, Batty 3b does a lot to get them there.
The Mets need to realize that they are not a WS contender and have to let this young core grow and then add the missing pieces via free agency or from within.
Like your infield
DeleteI do, too, but Mauricio may have fallen behind Acuña and Jett for 2B (if it actually opens for any of them).
DeleteI would agree with Mack in Baty playing second. With Mauricio, Acuna, Williams moving up, I would think one of the above would be better at the position than Baty, (Of would Baty be another D. Murphy?)
ReplyDeleteI do not envy Stearns. The team should have a number of players ready to advance to the majors over the next year and half. Mauricio, Acuna, Williams, Morabito, Gilbert, Cliffard joining Vientos, Baty, Alverez. The pitching side also have a number of players at the door. I think that 2025 will be another transition year with 2026 being the go for it all year.
I also think that a lot of the above players will fit better into Citi Field as that team will be built mostly on speed and defense with some power.
I have Acuña in center next year
DeleteViper's infield works for me
Then where does Jett fit?
DeleteGood infield. I am starting to think Clifford joining the fray by mid 2025 in Queens. He is really improving of late.
ReplyDeleteJett, Gilbert? Who knows. They’ve missed more than 100 games combined. It will probably be 200 when all is said and done.
If Senga were to return 100%, and be strong come playoff time, are we sure they are not WS contenders? Winners of 8 of 11 without him. Most likely, they do not have enough.
Both shelving Jett and Gilbert have put a kink in my Blow Up plan. Even Ray Davies hates this
DeleteClifford may be a better choice at first than Vientos but he plays a passable corner also
For this season I have him in the 2026 outfield latest
If Pete is traded or walks, I'm thinking Vientos at 1B and Baty at 3B.
DeleteOf course, it's way premature, but if it wotks out that way, where would Clifford fit?
Some people are looking at 2B for Baty, but the S-Mets said his playing there the other day was a one-off. Besides, it's more likely that one of Jett, Acuña or Mauricio fills that spot if McNeil is dealt.
Good problem to have too many good young players but I'm sure DS will figure it out. Great post in Rising Apple on what Alvy means to the pitching staff and now that were getting further away from "blow it up" with every win are we all happy about that? Mack? June has looked like what we hoped the season could be and there is plenty of time left and I hate rooting for them to lose so turning around our June swoon past lets kick some butt here.
ReplyDeleteJune will determine if sell off begins in July
DeleteBaty has played some good defense at 3B this year, both in the minors and in the major league. But good defense at 3B does not necessarily translate to being good at all infield positions. Middle infielders need quick hands and quick feet. Baty does not exhibit the quick hands that are required there and his long legs don't facilitate the quick steps and pivoting required to turn double plays on throws that are a little off line. Keep him at the corners.
ReplyDeleteI played a great defensive third
DeleteTeammates nicknamed me Clete
Played a horrible second
Different animal
My guess come sometime in July he will be given the rest of the Mets season to prove he can hit consistently at the major league level
Mack I would have called you Pie after Pie Traynor the HOF 3rd baseman who's closer to our age bracket and was one hellava player as I did see him play at the end of his career. Nice man also. We're going to have a log jam come spring training so we have to rely on the FO to figure this out but some will be traded for sure.
ReplyDelete