Don’t look now, but Brett Baty is putting together another strong performance during spring training again.
The New York Mets’ third baseman — once a top prospect at the hot corner who would hold the position down for years — has been unable to make hot stretches in the minors and during the exhibition stick in the majors.
In 544 MLB at-bats in three seasons, the 25-year-old is batting.215 with a .607 OPS — struggles that opened the door for Mark Vientos to run away with the third-base job last season.
Once again, though, Baty is showing the sort of promise that keeps him around the periphery of the big club, even if the only path for him in 2025 is to make it as a utility infielder. Tuesday against the Houston Astros saw the lefty bat go 2-for-3 and hit his first home run of the spring, pulling a slider low in the zone over the right-field fence.
He has started the exhibition slate 5-for-8 with a 1.750 OPS.
BRETT BATY DINGER! 💣
(via @SpaceCityHN) pic.twitter.com/dB7C2uXX0y
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 25, 2025
“There’s a lot to like right now from Brett,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It starts with the rhythm at the plate, his new set-up. The rhythm is allowing him to be on time. He’s swinging at strikes, which is some of the other things that we’re asking him to do. He’s a guy that can control the strike zone and when he’s getting pitches, he’s not missing. He’s staying behind the baseball, which is another objective for him… and putting the barrel on the ball. He’s getting results.”
If Baty is finally able to put it together in 2025, it presents the Mets with as good a problem as possible. While Mendoza said that he will predominantly play third base, potentially as Vientos’ backup, he will also get spring looks at second base to increase his versatility. A hot bat also plays into the DH equation, which is currently projected to be split between Jesse Winker and Starling Marte.
This does appear to be Baty’s last chance to cut it with the Mets, as Mendoza alluded to on the first day of spring training.
“Yeah, pretty much [this is his last chance],” Mendoza said. “This is a guy who is willing to do whatever it takes to make the cub. He’s been vocal about it… Now he just has to go out there and compete and do it and be himself. He’s a really good player. There’s tools and a lot to like about Brett Baty. He just has to be himself, go out there, and do it. Let the rest take care of itself.”
