MLB Insider Says Mark Vientos has Edge Over Brett Baty to Make Mets
While one Mets' top prospect has had a hot spring, It's actually a different prospect who might have a better shot at making the Opening Day roster.
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Brett Baty looks unlikely to make the Mets out of camp, and Mark Vientos may have a better chance.
As Heyman noted, Vientos has hit against better pitching, which has been noticed by scouts.
“He’s faced the top dogs and has looked good at the plate,” one scout told The Post.
Veteran Eduardo Escobar appears to be the favorite to keep his job as the Mets' starting third baseman.
While Baty is seen as the third baseman of the future, the Mets still think he can improve defensively.
Baty only has six games of experience at the Triple-A level, as he was called up to make his major league debut last August after Escobar got hurt.
Baty accumulated 38 at-bats for the Mets last season, recording seven hits and two home runs, before a torn UCL in his thumb that required surgery ended his season.
As for Vientos, another scout sees him as a DH candidate for the Mets if the team moves on from Darin Ruf. Vientos would be in a DH platoon with Daniel Vogelbach, playing against left-handed pitching.
“Vientos has improved the most, and depending on the [Darin] Ruf situation, he might be here sooner rather than later,” one scout predicted to Heyman.
Vientos also made his big-league debut in the end of last season. He went 6-for-36 with a home run and three RBIs in 16 games.
The 23-year-old would also give the Mets another power bat if he makes the club.
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