The Mets are on the lookout for Brett Baty or Luisangel Acuña to take an enormous soar.
The 2 younger infielders have been taking part in instead of the injured Jeff McNeil to start out the season, and whereas defensively, they’ve each dealt with second base nicely, neither one has been in a position to do a lot on the plate. McNeil is predicted to be again later within the month, and barring any acquisitions, the Mets will preserve Acuña or Baty in a utility position.
President of baseball operations David Stearns needs to see one among them seize that spot.
“We kind of need to see some results to get that confidence back,” Stearns stated Monday earlier than the Mets opened a sequence towards the Miami Marlins at Citi Discipline. “And if we can have some hits fall for, really for both of those guys, I think hopefully we can get one of them on a roll here and allow us to have a really healthy compliment when we get fully healthy.”
Acuña is 2-for-14 to start out the season and Baty is 2-for-21 on the plate. Baty had an extremely productive spring coaching however the outcomes haven’t translated, which has change into a sample of types with the 25-year-old during the last three seasons.
“I think on both players, they haven’t gotten off to the stars that they would have liked,” Stearns stated. “Brett had a really hot spring training and we saw the type of potential and quality of at-bats that he had. And I think for him, it’s just getting back to that approach and probably seeing some results.”
The Mets had their reservations about each of them in spring coaching. There have been questions on Acuña’s work ethic and Baty’s skill to play protection. Acuña, 23, may in all probability profit from taking part in day-after-day with Triple-A Syracuse, however Baty has already proven he can hit Triple-A pitching.
However they positive may use McNeil’s bat again within the lineup.
“Acuña is a very solid defender, that’s been his calling card throughout his career, and he’s continued to demonstrate that at the major league level,” Stearns stated. “Brett shifting to a new position has, I think, done a really good job. He’s probably exceeded our expectations in terms of how quickly he would adjust to that position at the major league level, with very limited minor league experience.”
To be honest, the underside of the lineup hasn’t given the Mets a lot, so the blame isn’t solely on Baty and Acuña. Mark Vientos, who had a breakout season final 12 months, has additionally struggled to hit, and particularly hitting with runners on base. It’s been a bit sudden, and the Mets are additionally with out power-hitting catcher Francisco Alvarez (hamate bone surgical procedure), which doesn’t assist.
Nonetheless, the Mets have largely been in a position to overcome a scarcity of manufacturing on the backside due to a powerful bullpen. At 6-3 with a run differential of +11, the Mets aren’t precisely mashing their approach to wins proper now, however an MLB-best 1.29 aid ERA has helped the workforce maintain slim leads.
They’ve additionally needed to take up some quick begins, and are at the moment geared up to take action with a number of relievers who can pitch a number of innings.
Proper-hander Dedniel Nuñez goes via what Stearns referred to as a “structured progression” in Triple-A, however for now, the Mets aren’t about to the touch one of the best bullpen in baseball.
“I don’t know whether this is an industry trend, but I do think it is important, particularly early in the season, to be able to insulate your staff with that type of multi-inning reliever,” Stearns stated.
Alvarez and McNeil may return inside just a few weeks to bolster the lineup, and right-hander Paul Blackburn will return in just a few weeks to assist both as one other lengthy reliever or a sixth rotation arm. Whereas issues are going nicely for the Mets for the time being, the younger infielders stay considerably of an space of concern.
“I would love to see one, or both of them, perform at a really high level before [we] have to make those decisions, and prove that they’re going to be able to really contribute throughout the course of the year and help our team win games,” Stearns stated.
PROGRAMMING NOTE
The Mets moved Tuesday’s recreation towards Miami as much as 4:10 p.m., due to rain within the forecast. Proper-hander Clay Holmes will make his third begin of the season for the Amazin’s, dealing with right-hander Connor Gillispie.
Initially Printed: April 7, 2025 at 8:14 PM EDT
