NAILS GETS HAMMERED
Judge tosses suit against Darling, declares Dykstra is libel-proof
A judge threw out Lenny Dykstra’s libel suit against former teammate Ron Darling — stemming from Darling’s accusation that Dykstra hurled racial taunts — because his “reputation for unsportsmanlike conduct and bigotry is already so tarnished that it cannot be further injured.”
It wasn’t until after David Wright’s career was finished or near conclusion that the Mets got serious about finding their next homegrown third baseman.
In Brett Baty, the organization may have found that successor. Baty, selected by the Mets in the first round of last year’s draft (12th overall) from Lake Travis High in Austin, Texas, brings a powerful left-handed bat and strong throwing arm to the equation. He entered this year regarded among the Mets’ top four position-player prospects, joining shortstops Ronny Mauricio and Andres Gimenez, and catcher Francisco Alvarez.
Two years before drafting Baty — with it clear Wright would have difficulty returning from debilitating injuries that shortened his career — the Mets used their secondround pick on Mark Vientos, a power-hitting shortstop who was shifted to third base and spent last season at Low-A Columbia.
Baty spent most of last summer at Rookie-level Kingsport, and in 52 games had a .234/.368/.452 slash line with seven homers and 33
RBIs. Baty finished the season playing five games for Class-A Brooklyn as the Cyclones chased a playoff berth. In the postseason, he was 3-for-9 (.333) at the plate.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, there was concern last season about Baty’s mobility around third base, but the 20-year-old’s appearance upon arriving to camp this spring may have bolstered his stock.
“He got himself in tremendous shape and that always impresses me,” a Mets talent evaluator said. “You come off a season and somebody says, ‘Hey, look, make sure you are in good shape next spring,’ and this kid comes in and he has lost 15 pounds and he looks better and moves better and that stuff impresses me.
“Good-looking bat, very good swing and he’s another guy, you have to let him go play. He is going to catch up, he’s got good skills, great presence.”
From the Mets’ perspective, Baty would ideally arrive to the major leagues by 2023 or 2024. That would coincide with Robinson Cano’s contract expiring, perhaps allowing Jeff McNeil to play second base full time, with Amed Rosario,
Mauricio or Gimenez at shortstop. McNeil’s versatility could also place him in the outfield.
Baty arrived last summer as part of a strong Mets draft class that included pitchers Josh Wolf and Matthew Allan in the second and third rounds, respectively. Allan was regarded as a first-round talent, but slid in the draft over concerns whether he would sign. Baty was the second third baseman selected in last year’s draft, behind Texas Tech’s Josh Jung.
“[Baty] has impressive strikezone discipline and does an excellent job making pitchers come to him,” Mets executive director of player development Jared Banner said in an email. “He has impressive raw power that allows him to drive the ball out of the ballpark to all fields.”
Baty’s athleticism only adds to his intrigue. A three-sport standout in high school, he can dunk a basketball and in football was recruited by Division I schools as a quarterback.
“He’s a high-quality kid with impressive work ethic and competitiveness,” Banner said. “He sets a great example for his teammates.”