Mark Vientos is going through it. Vientos’ slump is one of the worst in baseball thus far. In 2024, he had his best season yet for the New York Mets, slashing .266/.322/.516, and posting the first positive WAR season of his career. So, why hasn’t he been able to carry this success over to 2025 yet?
Mark Vientos Mired in Early Slump at the Plate
Behind The Numbers
Vientos is just 5-for-42 to begin the season. It’s not just him, though. Much of the Mets’ lineup is struggling. Despite this, they’ve been able to win games. This is in part due to Vientos’ improved approach at the plate, despite his lack of success. In his last four games, he has walked five times, a strong indication that the tide could be turning for him, albeit slowly.
Aside from Vientos’ slump itself, it’s clear his hitting has affected his play on the field. After not running out a ground ball against the Miami Marlins on April 2nd, Francisco Lindor and Mets first base coach Antoan Richardson spoke to him about it after the game, and based on Vientos’ reaction, he got the message loud and clear. “Didn’t hustle it out — it’s unacceptable,” he said. “I won’t let that happen again.”
In addition to his walks showing his improved approach, his lack of luck at the plate has also been evident. Vientos smoked a ball 105 miles per hour on Tuesday, the problem was that it was straight to the center fielder. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza addressed this as well. “[Monday] he had a few walks and smoked a ball and today he hit one [105] to center field,’’ Mendoza said. “He’s controlling the strike zone. There are good signs there that he’s coming around, and I like the takes. He’s executing his game plan.”
Mark Vientos thanks the heavens after getting a hit 🤣 pic.twitter.com/UR1UbuHwz1
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 8, 2025
The Bottom Line
If there’s one thing that’s certain about Vientos, it’s that he’s faced his fair share of adversity. From being sent down after hitting a walk-off home run, to being called a liability a third base, it’s been rough going for him at times. While that does not guarantee future success, it’s important to keep that in context. As Vientos said in The Players’ Tribune, “Here’s the thing, though, a big thing I’ve learned along the way: Just because something feels destined to be … doesn’t mean that it’s gonna come easy. That’s been my story with the Mets.”
While Vientos’ slump is certainly frustrating, it’s also worth noting that certain players simply just struggle at the beginning of the season. Francisco Lindor has historically been a slow starter, and he’s one of the best players on the team. In case you’ve forgotten just how rough it was, in April of 2024, Lindor posted a .210/.294/.390 slashline. He went on to have one of the best seasons that a Met has ever had.
It should also help ease any concerns that Vientos has to realize that he has virtually no competition at third base. With trade candidate Brett Baty‘s lack of production at the big league level and a lack of third base prospects in the Mets system, this is Vientos’ job to keep. That kind of job security is something that he has never fully had until the playoff chase last season. Perhaps he will make the most of it.
Main Photo: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
