Mets call prospect Mark Vientos, league sources confirm Athleticism Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Through 38 games with Triple-A Syracuse this season, Vientos is batting .333 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs.
- Winds ranked #7 on AthleticismKeith Law’s list of the top 20 Mets prospects for 2023.
- Vientos has time splits at third base and first base this season.
- New York’s 2017 second-round pick, Vientos made his MLB debut in September, recording his first hit in his fourth game.
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Why now?
Vientos spent more than a year smashing the ball at Triple A, showcasing a type of power sorely lacking on the major league roster. Before scoring three times on Tuesday, the Mets had gone more than 50 innings without a long ball — their longest drought since July 2015, the week before they called top prospect Michael Conforto and traded Yoenis Céspedes.
Vientos, meanwhile, has 40 home runs in 150 career Triple-A games. He’s crushed both left-handers and right-handers this season and dramatically reduced his strikeout rate. Buck Showalter often talks about how he wants to see minor leaguers mastering a level. Vientos obviously overpowered Triple A offensively. — Breton
How does he adapt?
The Mets were cautious about calling Vientos due to the lack of a clear role. His primary defensive positions are first base and third base; the Mets are covered at both. That leaves the DH spot for Vientos, with Daniel Vogelbach and Tommy Pham. The club repeatedly cited his affinity for Vogelbach’s on-base prowess, even if power didn’t follow, and he liked Pham’s outgoing speeds, even without results on the pitch.
Vientos wouldn’t be called up if he didn’t at least see the short side of the DH peloton, with starts against southpaws. His success this season against right-handers — averaging .327, on-base percentage of .415 and outrageous hitting .690 — means the Mets could just run him around like the everyday DH to see how it works. — Breton
Screening report
Vientos makes very tough contacts which should lead to 20-30 home runs a year in the majors depending on his ability to put the ball in play as he has been a high smell guy in Triple A especially on the courts of the area which it should hit. It’s possible that reducing strikeouts will cost him power and that’s exactly what he is: a low OBP, high power guy who can sort of handle third but would be better early on. — Law
Required reading
(Photo: Rhona Wise/USA Today)