Down the stretch last season, Mets infielder and DH Mark Vientos provided an inkling that he could succeed at the big-league level if only he were to receive consistent playing time.
He is continuing to strengthen that notion in 2024.
The 24-year-old has been one of the Mets’ most consistent bats since getting recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, working through the initial disappointment of being a late demotion when the team signed JD Martinez just before Opening Day to be their starting DH.
In the 15 games he has appeared in since being recalled on May 15, Vientos is batting .327 with a 1.041 OPS with four doubles, four home runs, and eight RBI. This stretch has been the bulk of his impressive production this season. Overall in 18 games, he is batting .339 with a 1.070 OPS with five round-trippers and 10 RBI.
Over a 550 at-bat pace, which is an average number for everyday players at the MLB level over a full season, Vientos’ current production puts him at a full-season rate of 46 home runs and 93 RBI — figures obviously to be taken with a grain of salt considering the limited sample size.
When combining this season’s numbers with his final stretch from last season, though, Vientos’ numbers — most notably in the power department — are still there.
In his last 43 MLB games (149 at-bats), which dates back to Aug. 30, 2023, Vientos is batting .275/.316/557 (.873 OPS) with 11 home runs and 21 RBI. That is a 162-game pace of 41 home runs and 79 RBI.
“Mark has handled himself very well,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said back in April. “He was very understandably disappointed when we sent him down at the end of camp but he went down to Triple-A, worked hard, has been a good teammate. He’s handled himself very well.”
That good impression is only going to open more doors for him, especially in the current direction the Mets are heading. At 10 games under .500, there are already rumors rumbling about a fire sale that could see the team trade away the likes of Martinez or first baseman Pete Alonso. Those are two spots that fit Vientos best and would only spell for more playing time for the former top prospect.
