The New York Mets opened up Spring Training this year with the hopes of continuing to build on their 101-win campaign of 2022. Doing so would require veterans such as Eduardo Escobar, Daniel Vogelbach, and Mark Canha to contribute. Unfortunately, at least to begin the season, they haven’t. Escobar struggled mightily and it essentially cost him a spot as a starter. He really needed a good start after a very disappointing 2021. The same goes for Canha. Due to his struggles, he is now a 4th outfielder at most on the team. Catcher Omar Narváez also missed time due to a calf strain. These factors caused the Mets to bring up prospects Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, and highly touted right-handed slugger Mark Vientos. Baty and Álvarez have contributed. Vientos on the other hand is another story.
Rookie Mark Vientos Should Not Be In Triple-A
Rookie Heroics
Mark Vientos mashed in Spring Training, but he wasn’t on the Opening Day roster to the surprise of many. Neither were any of the aforementioned prospects on the Opening Day roster. While Álvarez struggled in the Spring, Baty was very productive. Vientos would proceed to once again produce in the minor leagues for almost two months. He hit 13 home runs and an OPS of 1.1o4. Meanwhile, the Mets’ bats were inconsistent at best and lacked power to start the year off. On May 17th, the Mets finally called up Vientos and he made an immediate impact. He hit a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in what would be a thrilling 8-7 win in extra innings.
MARK JUST MASHED ONE 💥 pic.twitter.com/dyHAcvYJ9R
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 18, 2023
After a home run in a big spot like that, you would think Vientos would get more opportunities, but that did not happen. Call it stubbornness or the old-school mentality, either way, Vientos would have trouble seeing his name on a lineup card after his season debut.
Lack of Playing Time for Vientos
The day after his first home run of the season came through in the clutch, Vientos would not be in the lineup. He didn’t even come off the bench to hit. It was an omen as Vientos had 49 plate appearances in only 16 games and didn’t get many chances to start whether it was on the field or at DH. Manager Buck Showalter and the Mets brass not having Vientos hit more from the DH spot and playing guys like Vogelbach, who was struggling immensely, over him was very puzzling. Even when Pete Alonso went down with a wrist injury, Vientos still couldn’t see playing time. The designated hitter spot was brought into the National League to help even things out in MLB and give a guy like Vientos a spot even if he didn’t have a premium position on the field. A guy who can swing the bat. The Mets however, felt otherwise.
[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”bbm/new_york_mets” size=”350×300″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”]
Being Sent Back Down and What’s Next for Mark Vientos
On June 18th, Alonso returned from his wrist injury and Vientos was sent back down to Triple-A Syracuse. Ending his time in the big leagues before it even had a chance to get off the ground. The future seems to be murky for Vientos. He could easily be called up again and get another opportunity or be used as a trade piece at this year’s deadline or next offseason. The Mets should see what they have in him first and the only way for him to develop is to see Big League pitching. If they can’t find a position on the field for him, then that is what the DH is for. A big right-handed slugger like Vientos deserves more of a chance than what the Mets have given him thus far.
Main photo credits:
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Eduardo Escobar, Daniel Vogelbach, Mark Canha, Omar Narvaez, Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Pete Alonso
