Who Should be The Mets' Starting Third Baseman?
While Eduardo Escobar was away playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, top prospect Brett Baty was tearing it up in Mets camp.
So much so that Escobar doesn't know if he's still the starting third baseman of the Mets.
“I don’t know,” Escobar told Mike Puma of The New York Post. “For me I am coming in here with the idea that I am working hard and control what I can and working and seeing what happens."
In 21 Grapefruit League games, Baty is slashing .333/.469/.436 with a .905 OPS, one home run and six RBIs.
Baty made his major league debut last August, and went 7-for-38 with two home runs before a torn UCL in his thumb ended his season.
While no one has questioned Baty's bat, his defense is what needs to be further developed in order to be considered an everyday third baseman in the major leagues.
During camp, Baty has been working with Mets bench coach and former six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez to refine his skills defensively. He also worked with retired All-Star infielder Troy Tulowitzki in the offseason.
And Baty's defense has certainly seen plenty of improvement in Spring Training. According to Chavez, Baty is "absolutely" ready to play third base in the major leagues, per Tim Healey of Newsday.
So, when it comes down to the competition between Baty and Escobar, the young top prospect did everything he could to beat out the veteran. Now it just comes down to whether Mets brass believes Baty is ready defensively, or needs more seasoning at the hot corner in Triple-A.
If the Mets were to take Baty on the major league roster, this would likely see Darin Ruf get designated for assignment. In turn, Escobar would assume the role as the other half of the DH platoon against left-handed pitching.
This is one route the Mets can go. But Escobar is making $9.5 million in 2023 and is beloved in the clubhouse. He also has pop, slugging 20 homers, driving in 69 RBIs and posting a .725 OPS in 2022. However, Escobar struggled mightily last season until a red hot September, in which he slashed .340/.393/.649 with eight homers and 24 RBIs.
Fellow prospect Mark Vientos also plays third base and has had a solid spring, but he is considered to be more of a first baseman/DH type. Vientos could potentially make the Opening Day roster over Ruf, but that's only if Baty gets sent to Triple-A.
The third base competition is likely going to come down to the wire, but Baty is the future of the organization and deserves the starting third base job after the torrid spring he had. He looks ready, but it's up to the Mets to decide that.
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