ANGRY MIKE - J.P. ARENCIBIA: Have the Mets found the “Mr. Miyagi” of Hitting Coaches?

ANGRY MIKE

Enough can’t be said about the tremendous job Syracuse Mets hitting coach / bench coach J.P. Arencibia has done during his tenure. 3 years hardly resembles a Bobby Bowden (F.S.U.) or “Coach K” (Duke) type tenure in terms of length, but Arencibia has had a profound impact on the Mets ability to build a sustainable winner. Arencibia, like other minor league managers and coaches play an integral role in shaping their franchise’s current trajectory and future outlook. 

Arencibia is our Mr. Miyagi…

The responsibility of developing MLB prospects is becoming increasingly important because of the tremendous financial investments allocated to prospects entering the professional ranks. 

Bryce Harper - Nationals

2010 Draft | #1 Overall Pick | $9.9M MLB contract | $6.25M Bonus

Manny Machado

2010 Draft | #3 Overall Pick | $5.25M Bonus

Eli Willits - Nationals

2025 Draft | #1 Overall Pick | $8.2M Bonus 

Ethan Holliday - Rockies 

2025 Draft | #4 Overall Pick | $9.0M Bonus

MLB is in the embryonic stage of a paradigm shift, as teams have no choice but to prioritize the development of homegrown players due to the market values for free agents increasing exponentially each year. Arencibia’s ability to positively impact a prospect’s development suggests Steve Cohen would be wise to make sure Arencibia is locked up for the foreseeable future, with consideration of him eventually taking over as the Mets hitting coach. 

I’d like to personally nominate J.P. Arencibia for the Mets Hitting Coach.

Arencibia was recently tasked with assisting Francisco Alvarez rediscover the swing that earned him a 70-grade scouting grade for power and made him the #1 Overall ranked prospect for the MLB. Arencibia’s career as catcher also made him the ideal candidate to also help Alvarez cleanup his fundamentals on defense.

Unlike our current hitting coaches at the MLB level, Arencibia insisted on having Alvarez build on his foundation, rather than trying to overhaul everything. Arencibia lauded Alvarez’ coming in ready to work, improve as much as he can, so he could rejoin his teammates for a potential pennant race and deep postseason run. 

The results were instantaneous and the magnitude of Alvarez’ improvement was nothing short of biblical. Alvarez began murdering balls to all fields, exhibited a relaxed, confident approach during each at-bat. Alvarez’ began pummeling homers by harnessing his elite bat speed, instead of trying to swing out of his shoes. Alvarez’ was back to hitting balls with authority to RF or CF, by waiting on pitches and letting them travel deeper into the zone. The results were mind-blowing, as he began to put up video game numbers, homering almost on a daily basis. With his defense also showing marked improving, Alvarez’ stint with Syracuse was quite brief, and prior to his unfortunate injury, he looked like one of the best hitters on the Mets.

Alvarez Statistics - AAA Stint: June 28th - July 20th:

ALVAREZ STATS SINCE PROMOTION:

THAT WAS DURING A STRETCH OF 16 GAMES.

11 HOMERS IN 16 GAMES.

When Alvarez returned to the Mets, he continued to hit like the budding young superstar Mets fans were clamoring for ALL BLOODY SEASON.

Resurrecting Alvarez’ career is going to be one of the most important accomplishments on Arencibia’s resume because of the immediate short-term and long-term impact it will have on the Mets becoming successful.

If Arencibia was to ever declare war, the “House of Angry Mike” would stand with him, not only because of how he helped Alvarez quickly resurrect his career, but the other highly talented youngsters listed below: 

MARK VIENTOS: 2023-2024:

Vientos credited Carlos Beltran and J.D. Martinez for helping him make adjustments at the MLB level during the 2024 season, but during his time at Syracuse, Vientos improved his plate discipline, maintained his power numbers, instituting a more selective approach that led to him developing into a more complete hitter. Like he did with Alvarez, Arencibia excelled at keeping Vientos focused on developing on the field and embraced his role of helping these young kids stay positive and focused while they waited for their opportunity at the Major League level.

BRETT BATY: 2023-2024: 

Baty is another uber-talented prospect, who was ranked as a Top 25 prospect in baseball in 2023. He broke out in 2022, but the Mets didn’t do him any favors promoting him to the majors after only short stint at AAA. After having trouble establishing himself at the MLB level, Baty had to re-invent himself at AAA. Under Arencibia’s tutelage, Baty began tapping into his 70-grade power, demolishing homers and driving the ball with authority to all fields.. Baty is another great example of a textbook “Arencibia resurrection”, much like how Alvarez and Vientos were able to fix issues that led to their struggles at the MLB level.

RONNY MAURICIO: 2023 & 2025

Mauricio’s lone AAA campaign in 2023 featured career highs across the board, despite facing the most advanced pitching he’s ever seen. He raised his batting average by almost 30 points, while also setting career highs in OBP, SLG, & OPS. He also lowered his K-rate significantly, without having to sacrificing power numbers. After returning from a prolonged I.L. stint that stretched over 1.5 years, Arencibia oversaw Mauricio’s rehab campaign, where he began murdering AAA pitching and quickly reestablished himself as the prodigious talent the Mets knew they had before the unfortunate knee injury.

Other notable prospects who’ve performed well under Arencibia’s guidance include Luisangel Acuna and Drew Gilbert. As well as these players have done, Arencibia’s most important mission still lies ahead. His ability to facilitate the development of our next wave of impact hitters is going to be the difference between the Mets developing into a sustainable winner or a continue to be an inconsistent franchise that simply doesn’t maximize the talent within system, while simultaneously spending record amounts with nothing to show for it. 

No pressure J.P., just keep doing what you do best, ALL OF METS NATION has your back and is counting on you…