Vientos ready to make his Mark ‘wherever’
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets need a first baseman to put behind Pete Alonso. The job could go to Daniel Vogelbach, the club’s current DH, or it could go to one of their top prospects in Mark Vientos.
Ranked the seventh-best prospect in the Mets’ system by MLB Pipeline, Vientos came to camp armed with three gloves and a lot of confidence. The 23-year-old was drafted as a third baseman in 2017 but he faces some tough competition with Eduardo Escobar and Brett Baty at the position. Baty will likely start the season in Triple-A with the club wanting to see his defense improve before making him a full-time big leaguer, and it’s possible that Vientos starts there too.
But after 16 games in the Major Leagues last season, Vientos is hoping that his own defensive versatility will help him make the roster. Whether it’s at first base, third base or in left field, Vientos wants to send a message to the Mets.
“I’m ready to play in the big leagues every day,” he told the Daily News this week at Clover Park.
Showalter plans to use him mostly at first base during Grapefruit League games and he should get plenty of time there with Alonso heading to the World Baseball Classic.
“I’m up for it,” Vientos said. “I played first base last year more than the year before. I’m, for sure, a lot more comfortable at the position. I’m up for wherever.”
Born in Connecticut but raised in Florida by a Dominican immigrant, Vientos excitedly told the media that he had grown up a Mets fan shortly after the club selected him in the second round of the 2017 draft. At the time, David Wright was injured but looking to make a comeback and the club hoped Vientos would be the heir apparent at third base. But a year later they drafted Baty in the first round.
The club has struggled to fill that spot since Wright’s back and neck injuries first sidelined him in 2015. They finally got quality production offensively from J.D. Davis but his glove was a problem at times. Escobar was signed to a two-year contract in 2022 and proved to be a solid pickup.
Escobar has the spot locked down for 2023, but if Vientos can prove that his Triple-A power numbers can translate to the Major League level then he may have a new backup. Or maybe Vientos will back up Alonso. Either way, he’s improved his defense and agility over the winter and trusts his bat.
“My bat never does me wrong,” Vientos said.
RING THE BELTRAN
New Mets’ special assistant Carlos Beltran arrived in Port St. Lucie this week and took in drills with general manager Billy Eppler and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie on Tuesday.