Let the fun begin - The Mets are back!
We have an actual game today! Celebrating the return of baseball as the Mets get set to open their Grapefruit League schedule...
What’s up with the Mets? 🌴
Let’s play ball! The Mets officially get their Grapefruit League schedule underway against the Astros later today
RHP Clay Holmes is expected to get the start on the mound and is expected to throw as many as 50 pitches, and OF Juan Soto is also set to make his spring debut for the Mets against Houston
INF Brett Baty has been getting some reps at shortstop, but he will mainly play third and second base once spring training games begin (SNY)
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that his team have been ready to play games for a few days now, and they are all excited for the first game of spring (SNY)
C Francisco Álvarez spoke to Steve Gelbs about why he’s excited about his revamped swing for the 2025 season (SNY)
1B Pete Alonso and Juan Soto both sat down for an extensive interview about a number of topics on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove (Alonso / Soto)
3B Mark Vientos talked all things hitting and about thriving at the plate in big moments (SNY)
Spring workouts highlights - Friday 🏋️♀️
Mets players were in good spirits as team photo and media day took place in camp (Mets’ YouTube Channel)
Pete Alonso flashed plenty of power and went yard in a live BP against David Peterson (Mets’ YouTube Channel)
Peterson did have some positive moments, however, as he faced the likes of Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor and Francisco Alvarez, striking out both Nimmo and Lindor (Mets’ YouTube Channel)
Tylor Megill, who will look to have a strong spin in order to compete for a rotation spot, struck out Alonso in his live BP session (SNY)
Juan Soto took live BP too, but was also seen working on his bunt technique (SNY)
The Mets also staged a line drive competition to add some lightness to the grind of camp, with Soto having to complete 10 pushups in-front of Lindor (SNY)
Today’s Game 🏝️
Match-up: Mets (0-0) vs. Astros (ss) (0-0)
Where: Clover Park, Port St. Lucie, FL
Starters: RHP Clay Holmes (0-0) vs. LHP Colton Gordon (0-0)
When: 1:10 PM ET
Where to Watch: SNY
Baseball is back! Let the (spring training) games begin.…✍️
For the first time in what has felt like an eternity, we can excitedly and proudly say that the Mets are playing a baseball game today.
Okay, okay, okay, so it is only a spring training game and, as with all Grapefruit League contests, it will matter very little in the grand scheme of things.
Actually, not really at all.
Plus, as we’ve seen over the last couple of days with spring training games getting underway across baseball, any stars or notable names who do play in the first couple of games will make a swift exit. We will also have to sit through a slew of pitching changes as the game drags on.
In other words, spring training games can very quickly lose their charm and we will no doubt all soon be begging for Opening Day to hurry up and arrive.
However, for today at least, that isn’t the point. Today is all about celebrating having actual baseball games to watch, dissect, and talk about. No matter how boring they might actually be in reality.
Today is all about the excitement of having *actual* baseball back.
And, for Mets fans, there are a slew of things to look forward to ahead of the team’s Grapefruit League opener against the Astros later.
Most obvious is the expected spring debut of Juan Soto.
The superstar hitter, who signed a record-breaking deal with the franchise during the offseason, will today swing a bat in a Mets jersey for the very first time. Having watched the four-time All-Star slug and hit at a Hall of Fame level for other teams - including the Yankees - it will be a real pinch-me moment to finally see Soto step to the plate in Mets colors in an actual game environment for the very first time. Talk about a real thrill.
Outside of Soto, it will be fascinating to see how Clay Holmes handles his transition from reliever to starter. That journey officially starts today with Holmes expected to throw around three innings. The former Yankees closer has been ahead of schedule so far in camp, and I’m intrigued to see how he looks in an actual game against opposing hitters.
One of the best things about spring training is watching prospects battle and look to make the most of their chance in big league camp. The Mets have a number of high-end prospects who could earn a call-up to the Show at some point in 2025, and these early spring games will be key when it comes to the likes of Brandon Sproat, Jett Williams, Ryan Clifford, and Drew Gilbert showing what they can do.
Today’s game will also be significant for Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña as they battle for an infield utility role. Both players will get the opportunity to come out swinging against the Astros, and that battle could be a really fun one to watch develop and unfold over the coming weeks.
All in all, there is nothing better than baseball being back and knowing we have a real game to look forward to later.
The sun is out— at least in Florida, anyway— expectations and hopes are through the roof, and we finally get to indulge in the delightful sights and sounds of baseball again.
After a long, frigid winter, baseball is officially back and, although these games don’t count for anything, the fact that we can watch our favorite team back in action is worth getting excited about today.
Around the League 🚩
The Yankees caused a stir by announcing that they are getting rid of their long-standing policy on facial hair (NYY)
Chase Hampton, one of the Yankees’ top pitching prospect, underwent Tommy John Surgery on Friday (NY Post)
Free agent first baseman Anthony Rizzo is still without a team, but is hopeful of being able to continue his Major League career in 2025 (The Athletic)
Corbin Burnes was sharp in his first outing of spring, striking out all three batters he faced as the Diamondbacks lost to the Rockies, 12-8
Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt both picked up a hit in their spring debuts as the Yankees shutout the Rays in a 4-0 win
The Cubs beat the Dodgers for the second day running, thanks in large to a two-run homer from C Miguel Amaya
From their cups of coffee in the majors, in my opinion I see Beaty as being trade bait, and Acuna as the guy to become the long-term answer at 2B
The crack of the bat, the slap of leather, the zizz of a top shelf heater -- bring it on. I'm ready for some baseball. #LGM 🍎