Reese Kaplan -- Sometimes You Need to Read the Real Numbers

While a great deal of conversation, barroom drinking and antacid swallowing has already taken place over the man without a position — Brett Baty — not nearly as much focus has been given to his partner in baseball inconsistency — Mark Vientos.

Yes, we’re all aware of the 2024 season during which Mark Vientos seemed to emerge from nowhere to become a middle-of-the-order threat for the Mets.  A strong right handed hitter, Vientos finished the year with 413 ABs featuring a .266 average with 27 HRs and 71 RBIs.  If you increased those numbers by 20% to be conservative and to reflect a full time role for that season he would have been north of 32 HRs and 85 RBIs.  As a regular it would be even higher year end numbers.

Obviously going into the 2025 season the Mets felt they had a lethal middle of the order between Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Mark Vientos and Juan Soto.  And don’t forget Francisco Lindor.  Then add in the highly unpredictable Jose Siri and the oft injured Francisco Alvarez and it would appear that the Mets were chock full of home run potential for the yet-to-be-played season at this point last Spring.  On the bench you also had some combination of Starling Marte, Jesse Winker and Brett Baty who all could launch a long ball now and then. 

Well, as they often say, the best laid plans of mice and men (and Mets fans) oft go awry.  Soto, Alonso, Nimmo and Lindor all were quite solid in what they provided at the plate.  Injuries derailled Siri, Marte, Winker and Alvarez for long stretches of the year.  Vientos seemed to forget the skills he demonstrated in 2024 and that failure emerged into an opportunity for heretofore unproductive Brett Baty.  For a matter of numbers, Baty finished the year hitting .254 with 18 HRs and 50 RBIs over 393 ABs.  For comparison Vientos hit a modest .233 with 17 HRs and 61 RBIs with about 70 additional ABs. 

Somehow people conclude now that Baty is the second coming of Brooks Robinson.  Yes, he did show decent glove work both at third base and second base during the season but his offensive explosion (to hear Baty fans tell it) was not really all that much.  Vientos was superior in 2024 and even in a bad year in 2025 drove in more runners.

Now we hear Baty is the new right fielder.  Or the new first baseman.  Or the new DH.  No one really knows as you cannot parallel the offensive potential of Bo Bichette with Brett Baty.  Then there’s the $20 million per year given to middle infielder Jorge Polanco to take over at first base.  Or DH.  No one knows who is going to play right field (including David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza).

Surprisingly Vientos played a game at first base and showed better defense there than anyone would have anticipated given his lead glove at third base.  Some people think Vientos’ future is at DH, fewer support the notion of him crossing the diamond permanently to replace Pete Alonso in the field.  The majority, however, are more inclined to write him off entirely for his inability to hit the baseball. 

A reminder — over 1091 ABs during this major league career he’s hit 54 HRs and driven in 157 while hitting just .239.  Baty on the back of his major league baseball card has had 937 ABs with 33 HRs, 105 RBIs and a .232 batting average.  What is it that I’m not seeing about the Baty fervor?  Increase his numbers by 15% to match Vientos’ opportunities and he still falls short.

Now no one is suggesting they are of equal value.  Vientos is still a defensive black hole.  Baty (out of necessity) is proving his defensive versatility.  However, no matter how you slice it Vientos is a more productive hitter.  As a DH option they have had worse.  Remember Daniel Vogelbach?  For now the two extra men on the roster do not have clearly defined roles but it is important to evaluate them fairly.