Baty went 2-for-3 with a double and a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
The 25-year-old has been the most impressive hitter in camp for the Mets. Baty is batting .354 (17-for-48) through 18 spring appearances with six doubles, a triple and three homers, and he's shown improved defense as well as he splits time between second base and third base. Baty is expected to begin the season on the strong side of a platoon at the keystone with Luisangel Acuna while Jeff McNeil (oblique) is on the shelf, but he'll need to do better than his career .607 OPS in the majors to retain a significant role.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Brett Baty: Bangs out two XBH on Wednesday
Rotowire
Baty went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, a run scored and an RBI in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
Both extra-base hits came off Ronel Blanco, and Baty is now batting .333 (14-for-42) this spring with four doubles, a triple and two homers, plus a sharp 4:5 BB:K. The 25-year-old has emerged as the favorite to start at second base for the Mets while Jeff McNeil (oblique) is on the shelf, or at least handle the strong side of a platoon with Luisangel Acuna, and while Baty has yet to provide consistent offense in the majors, his career .273/.368/.531 slash line at Triple-A with 26 home runs in 416 plate appearances will earn him at least one more chance to turn his potential into production.
Baty may begin the season platooning at second base with Luisangel Acuna, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.
With Jeff McNeil (oblique) sidelined to begin the year, the decision to keep youngsters Baty and Acuna on the Opening Day roster gets easier, as regular playing time could be available for both. Baty would handle the strong side of any platoon at the keystone, and he could be taking a lot of momentum into the regular season -- through 14 Grapefruit League appearances, he's batting .343 (12-for-35) with three doubles, two homers and a 4:5 BB:K.
Mets' Brett Baty: Might start at 2B with McNeil out
Rotowire
Baty could be the Mets' Opening Day second baseman with Jeff McNeil (oblique) likely to begin the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Baty has never played an inning at second base at the major-league level, but he started 27 games at the keystone last season at Triple-A Syracuse and has played there often this spring, including on Thursday in the Mets' first game after the McNeil injury was announced. Luisangel Acuna is also in the running to fill in for McNeil at second base, but DiComo projects Baty to be the favorite to get the first shot there.
Baty went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
The 25-year-old got the start at third base and hooked a Hayden Wesneski offering over the right-field fence in the third inning for his first long ball of the spring. Baty isn't going to unseat Mark Vientos at the hot corner, but he's getting a look all around the infield in camp, including at shortstop. If Baty demonstrates he can handle the defensive demands, he might take over the utility infielder job originally ticketed for Nick Madrigal (shoulder) on the Opening Day roster.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Brett Baty: Taking grounders at shortstop
Rotowire
Baty has been taking groundballs at shortstop and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza didn't rule out Baty seeing some action there during Grapefruit League play, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Baty's main focus remains on third base and second base, but it's possible he'll give shortstop a try if he looks good enough there in workouts. The Mets' four infield spots are all spoken for, so Baty's best shot at playing time will be to increase his versatility. He has started only at third base so far at the major-league level but has been used some at second base and in left field in the minors.
Baty is likely to be a reserve for the Mets or go back to the minors following the re-signing of Pete Alonso, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Baty was going to compete for the third base job -- and might have been the favorite -- if Alonso moved on and Mark Vientos shifted to first base, but now there's not room for him in the starting lineup. The Mets have indicated previously that Baty could serve in a utility role, getting some reps at third and second base as well as the outfield. However, he might be best off going to Triple-A Syracuse, where he can play every day.
Mets' Brett Baty: Could get another shot at starting
Rotowire
Baty is expected to compete for the Mets' third base job during spring training, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
With Pete Alonso expected to move on and Mark Vientos shifting to first base, the Mets have an opening at the hot corner. Baty has slashed just .215/.282/.325 over 169 games at the big-league level, but he's still only 25 and is a former top prospect. It's possible the Mets go outside the organization for additional competition at third base, but for now Baty will battle Ronny Mauricio (knee) and Luisangel Acuna for the gig.
![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)
