Brett Baty continues to lock down the opening day second base job
Also - Clay Holmes was again sensational in his last start of Grapefruit League action
What’s up with the Mets? 🌴
The Mets defeated the Cardinals 3-2 to improve to 12-13 in Grapefruit League play (box | highlights)
RHP Clay Holmes looked quite ready for Opening Day. He struck out eight in 5.1 innings and did not give up any runs - he finished camp with a 0.93 ERA
RHP Dedniel Núñez gave up two runs but struck out two in his one inning of work
3B Brett Baty continued his fantastic spring - He went 2-for-3 with a double, HR, and 2 RBIs
Roster Moves 🗞️
Signed OF Billy McKinney to a minor league deal
RHP Tyler Zuber was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse
Injury Updates 🏥
Jeff McNeil (mild oblique strain) is still experiencing symptoms and has not resumed baseball activities
Stories from Port St. Lucie… 📰
Starling Marte will be ready for whatever role the Mets want him in (NY Post)
Inside the design of the new Mets road blue jerseys (Athletic)
Pete Alonso is on a quest to hit at least 500 home runs (Newsday)
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (12-13) vs Nationals (12-13)
Where: Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, FL
Starters: RHP Tylor Megill (0-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 1.35 ERA)
When: 1:10 PM ET
Where to Watch: SNY
Brett Baty carpe diem… ✍️
After another successful day at the plate, Brett Baty is now hitting .354/.415/.708 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 48 spring at-bats. His OPS of 1.123 leads all major league hitters in Grapefruit League action.
He also flashed some leather in the field as the team hopes his skills will translate to second base with Jeff McNeil out to start the season.
A successful spring is not new for the 25-year-old. In 2023, he hit .325/.460/.425 with an OPS of .885. Unfortunately, that did not translate to success at the major league level. He ended up hitting just .212/.275/.323 in 108 games, which translated to -0.7 fWAR.
At this point in camp, barring anything catastrophic for Baty, he appears to have seized the day and positioned himself to be the opening day starting second baseman in Houston next Thursday.
This organization has been let down by the spring training hype before, so the question remains: who is the real Brett Baty?
The Mets can ill afford to have him struggle again at the major league level, as they are missing both McNeil and Francisco Álvarez in their starting lineup to start the year. Starling Marte is a question mark and has really been relegated to a part-time DH role on this club, and there is some doubt when it comes to Brandon Nimmo’s health at this time with his sore knee and plantar fasciitis issues still lingering.
A productive Baty completely changes the look of the lineup and lengthens it to the point where there is no letdown for opposing pitchers as they search for outs.
Still, it’s asking a lot considering the history and that Baty is being asked to switch to a new position. So far, so good, but of course, it is just spring training.
When presented with an opportunity to make the team, Luisangel Acuña hasn’t seized the day to the extent Baty has this spring. He is batting .244/.277/.267 with an OPS of just .544. He has no home runs but does have three stolen bases in 18 games. He has the superior glove, so the team could take him to Houston come Opening Day. He is a right-handed bat, and the Mets will be facing a lefty when they take on Framber Valdez and the Astros to open the season.
The Mets could opt to go with a platoon between Baty and Acuña and use Acuña as a defensive replacement late in innings, but there is some question if that situation is the best for his development and the Mets have hinted they’d like him to play every day somewhere.
And, that playing time could be every day here if Baty struggles in the big leagues. Hopefully, Baty has found his place both physically and mentally of course, which will make for some tough decisions between him, McNeil, and Acuña over time.
While it is a good sign that Baty has been so successful, the true test will begin in less than a week. He will need to follow the path of Mark Vientos last season. He will need to prove to the organization that he belongs in the majors and in the lineup even when McNeil returns.
Around the League 🚩
RHP Julio Urias received a second suspension under MLB’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy (ESPN)
Yankees 1B Dominic Smith opted out of his contract and is now a free agent (ESPN)
Padres RHP Yu Darvish will start the year on the IL with right elbow inflammation (ESPN)
Rockies 2B Thairo Estrada was diagnosed with a broken wrist after getting hit by a pitch and will be out 4-8 weeks (ESPN)
Old friend Mark Canha signed with the Royals per Jon Heyman
Paul Skenes’s rookie card sold at auction for $1.1 million which is more than what the ace will be making this season (ESPN)
This is Baty’s last chance. My fingers are crossed because he can really be an X factor for this lineup. Not sure what I’d do with Acuna? I was thinking platoon but if they want him to play everyday I assume he starts in Syracuse.
I like the idea of platooning Baty and Acuna. Acuna could also spell Lindor at short, and Baty spell Vientos at 3rd. McNeil to the outfield