Sophomore slumps aren’t precisely unusual for gamers below 25, and whereas Mark Vientos might be a number of video games previous being thought of a “sophomore,” the Mets third baseman performed probably the most he ever has within the huge leagues within the 2024 season. He established himself as a authentic energy risk in the course of the order, or at occasions, the highest of it.
But it surely takes multiple good season to ascertain oneself. This 12 months, the slugger’s slugging numbers have diminished, and whereas the Mets aren’t essentially anxious about him, the at-bats have been unfold out as he tries to seek out his stride this season.
“I feel like he’s missing good pitches to hit,” supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned over the weekend. “Last year, he was on time and he was able to drive pitches to all fields, whether it was right, center-left, center, but especially pitches in the strike zone. I feel like this year, it’s timing, obviously, that’s where it starts, where he’s missing those pitches.”
Vientos, 25, is hitting simply .212 with a .619 OPS this season. He’s hit six dwelling runs, and with a mean exit velocity of 90.5, he’s nonetheless hitting the ball exhausting. His strikeout price can be decrease than it’s been, however with out the timing he as soon as had, particularly on fastballs, he’s nonetheless swinging and lacking, which places him in dangerous counts and forces him to swing at pitches he may not in any other case.
He’s additionally getting fooled on offspeed choices greater than he did final season, hitting simply .105 in comparison with .286 final season, and whiffing on 53.5% of offspeed pitches thrown to him. His bat has additionally been slower this season, and he’s barreling the ball about half as a lot as he did final 12 months.
After straining his hamstring in early June in Los Angeles, Vientos was afforded a while off to rehab. Accidents are by no means ideally suited, however the harm was comparatively minor and supplied him a psychological reset and an opportunity to go all the way down to Triple-A to work on his swing.
The outcomes of his rehab task may not have seemed nice on paper, however rehab assignments are extra about course of than outcomes. Being unable to seek out his set off meant inconsistent swings. He wanted to have the ability to repeat the movement of his swing to get again to a spot the place the barrel was coming by means of the strike zone on the proper airplane and on the proper time.
Triple-A is an effective place to work by means of swing inconsistencies.
“That was the plan when he went down there, not only to kind of just get through the injury, but more like to get at-bats and get his timing right,” Mendoza mentioned. “We’ve got to give him time.”
Vientos solely has two hits in seven video games since being activated off the injured checklist, however he already looks like he’s repeating the movement of his swing extra constantly, and he’s proud of the standard of his at-bats. The Mets just like the at-bats as effectively, with Mendoza specifying just a few to bench coach John Gibson.
“I feel like that [Thursday], he took a couple of swings that were balanced, and I liked the way the barrel came through the zone, even though he fought it off,” Mendoza mentioned. “I turned up to Gibby and said, ‘Man, that’s good. That’s one of the better swings he’s taken as of late.’ So hopefully, that’s a sign.’”
The Mets know the way pushed Vientos is to succeed. He’s made some modifications to his pregame routine that he hopes will assist him be higher ready for at-bats throughout video games, one thing that hasn’t gone unnoticed with the teaching workers. He hardly ever lacks confidence, however he has proven frustration outwardly at occasions. This isn’t dangerous — it reveals he cares — however the Mets don’t need him to get down on himself.
Barnes has been there to take heed to Vientos voice his emotions, whereas attempting to information him out of that headspace as effectively. He likens hitting coaches to caddies on a golf course, serving to gamers with the suitable instruments and recommendation.
Vientos is set to get again to the place he was final season when he hit 27 dwelling runs.
“Obviously I get frustrated, but I don’t think there’s a feeling of like, ‘Oh man, I started feeling sorry for myself,’” Vientos mentioned. “I believe it’s similar to, I maintain working, simply maintain going, and ultimately I’ll determine it out. I sort of give myself no alternative however to determine it out…
“It’s either I don’t figure it out and I go work at a regular job, or I figure it out and I play baseball. So it’s either one or the other, but I know it’s harder to work a regular job, so that’s the way I think about it.”
