BY MARK HALPERN
Over the past few years, Mets fans had some real excitement about the talent we had in Triple-A 2 years ago. The Mets have 3 MLB-ready players ready to vault to the Mets and we are talking about Baty, Alvarez, and Vientos. Rookies can do great in the minors and then just not be able to cut it in the majors. We have seen Vientos and Baty both sent down but, Vientos didn’t let it bother him and went on a tear and is doing it again with the Mets. Baty was sent down because of his struggles but is currently tearing up AAA so we might see him soon as well Alvarez just returned from thumb surgery and has made a clear statement he is back. The Battle comes down to Baty and Vientos which I love these two rookies.
Vientos started the season in Triple AAA after the Mets signed J.D. Martinez and even though he knew he would be the casualty (being sent down) it didn’t phase him. From his first game back in Syracuse he went 3-4 with a home run and over that one week he hit .389. It wasn’t a one game fluke either and after two weeks the Mets decided to bring him back as more of a DH than third since Baty had it locked down.
Baty had been doing well but he also fell into that sophomore slum and has been sent down to AAA (mind you he is tearing it up there also) and this paved the way for Vientos to man third. The question people ask is “Is Vientos going to be the everyday player at third?” it’s a simple answer and that is NO. Vientos spent the entire spring working with Francisco Lindor not only on his hitting but his fielding as well. While he has a few errors you can see the real improvement he is making. So, for now, he will man third base unless he gets injured or they find someone better.
Vientos pays attention and is learning every day and Carlos Mendoza has been with him watching what he is doing. I truly feel that Vientos will end up as a DH/3B or could even be traded at the deadline (which I would be sad about) to help improve the rotation and maybe get a 3B such as Bregman (PLEASE.)
From his time in the minors, Vientos was noticed for his hitting talent. There is no question that he can be a solid player in a lineup. He has made every opportunity given to him and never refuses help. In his short time up and down with the Mets Vientos has a beautiful slash line of .289/.334/.526. Vientos is featured in the back end of the lineup and it’s great to have a player with his speed and talent to help keep innings going. Mark has 33 hits, 7 home runs, and 18 RBI’s, and for a player who has been sent down and back up again so many times, this is an impressive stat. Vientos is overshadowed by players like Alonso, Lindor, Alvarez, Marte and they all have taken their time to help him with areas in which he is having issues. I am not saying other clubs don’t do this but, the Mets players know what they have in Vientos and they want him to help as much as they can to make him either DH/3B and be a focal part of this team.
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