How Brett Baty is Approaching New York Mets' Third Base Competition
PORT ST. LUCIE - Mets top prospect Brett Baty got his first taste of the major leagues last season and is now competing for the third base job in spring training with Eduardo Escobar.
Escobar, a 10-year veteran, who's making $9.5 million in 2023, appears to have the upper hand over Baty given his contract and status. But there is no denying that Baty is the future of this team, which is why he has a chance to make the Mets out of camp.
"I'm just going out there and trying to be the best player I can be," Baty told Inside the Mets on Friday. "Wherever the cards may lay, then that's what's going to happen. But I'm just going out there and trying to get better at defense and offense every day.
Last year, Baty made his major league debut in August after Escobar landed on the IL with an oblique strain. Baty spent 11 games with the Mets, hitting two home runs and driving in five RBIs, but slashing an anemic .184/.244/.342 with a .586 OPS.
On the bright side, Baty got his feet wet and has used his brief time in the majors as a learning experience.
"Just getting up there and seeing what everything was like is going to be huge for me," Baty said. "Getting comfortable with the guys, too. Now they know how I play.
"Just getting comfortable up there and knowing what to expect and then just carrying it into (spring training)."
In addition to learning from Escobar, Baty will get the chance to work with all-time Mets great third baseman David Wright, who is serving as a guest instructor in camp from March 1-2.
"It's going to be super fun to pick his brain about defense, even hitting too because he's one of the best to ever do it, so I'm looking forward to doing it," Baty said of working with Wright.
During the offseason, Baty worked on his defensive skills with former All-Star infielder Troy Tulowitzki. The two met at the University of Texas' facility, where Baty works out in the offseason and Tulowitzki served as a volunteer coach.
"He had a lot of good things to say," Baty said. "He's big on moving your feet and getting your face down in there and really just try to slow the game down. It was really good working with him."
Along with third base, Baty can also play left field. Should Escobar win the third base job, Baty could see the major leagues as an outfielder at some point.
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