By Mark Halpern
At the beginning of the Mets season, much of the focus was on the big-league team as it should be, but the Mets farm system was talked about in great detail before and after the lockout. The Mets have one if not the top farm system in all of baseball. The names that kept being talked about were Catcher Francisco Alverez, 1B/3B Mark Vientos, and 3B Brett Baty. For months, Mets fans were guessing who it would be and why. Some fans argued that considering the Mets weakness at Catcher, Alvarez (the #1 prospect in baseball) would be first. Others speculated Mark Vientos because the Mets needed a RH DH and could give the Polar Bear a breather now and then, and there was Baty, who has been impressive as his teammates have been. The question became who was going to be first and when. Today Brett Baty was told the one thing that all baseball players can’t wait to hear: “It’s your turn.”
Baty was the Mets first-round pick in 2019 with good reason. This position had been handled by one of the greatest third basemen to play for the Mets, and that was David Wright. Since Wright’s departure, the Mets haven’t had a constant name at this position. The Mets tried and thought they might have found a solution in J.D Davis, but his defense was not where the Mets liked. This year it has been Luis Guillmore (who just landed on IL) and Eduardo Escobar, who has been a true fan favorite, but he hasn’t been the healthiest (Escobar was scratched 8/16/2022) over the past two weeks. It was becoming more apparent to Mets fans that one of their significant prospects was coming, and they were right.
Baty has had excellent statistics through his minor league stint. In 2019 Baty moved right through Mets Rookie and Penn league (low A) teams very fast, and before Covid struck and shutdown, the Minors in 2020 Baty had batted .234 7hr and 33 RBIs in 228 plate appearances. I know that’s not eye-popping stats, but his work ethic and respect for the organization and his teammates showed who this ball player is. With Covid wiping out the 2020 season, Baty had time to work on his defense (which was his one big concern), and it has paid off. In 2021 Baty started in AA, moved down to High A (to deal with injury), and was immediately promoted to AA where he played 129 games and batted .299 24hr and 88rbi’s in 570 plate appearances. His talent wasn’t unnoticed as he was promoted to be with the two other top prospects, Alverez and Vientos in AAA Syracuse.
With the injuries and September call-ups coming very soon, Mets fans were sitting back and waiting to see what the organization would do. Yesterday Mets Skipper Buck Showalter had said that neither Baty/Vientos would be called up. When the Mets heard about Escobar’s health and the position needs, Baty fit the spot. I am very happy for him because I have watched his progress like another Mets third baseman. This is a momentous occasion for not only Baty but his family. I wish him nothing but the best and hope he is the player we have been waiting three years to make it to the majors.
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