PORT ST. LUCIE — A New Era at First Base
For a large part of the last seven seasons, there was little doubt about who would take the role of first baseman. Pete Alonso, for all his strengths and weaknesses, was a constant presence—reliable in scooping up difficult throws, although he wasn’t exactly known for his range or arm strength.
Now, that chapter has closed, and the absence of Alonso is being felt more in the lineup than on the field. The spotlight is now on the rookie infielders as fans wonder if the trio of Jorge Polanco, Mark Vientos, and Brett Batty can fill the void left behind.
Recently, Batty made his first spring training start, impressing somewhat despite not seeming entirely comfortable at the position. “It was a fun challenge. I didn’t make any mistakes, but, honestly, it didn’t look great,” he shared after Saturday’s game, where the Mets edged out Washington 3-2. Still, there was a silver lining. “I think overall, it was encouraging.”
Batty expressed that performing in a game boosts his confidence heading into future matchups.
During the game, Batty encountered real-time situations that practice couldn’t quite replicate. For instance, he recalled a ground ball hit by Washington’s James Wood. “I wanted to go get the ball,” Batty admitted. “But I had to remind myself that Marcus was right behind me, and I needed to hustle to first.” It’s a lesson he’s picked up from past teammates.
“Pete was really adept at knowing where the second basemen were positioned. His job was to just be on first base,” Batty observed, nodding to Alonso’s departure for Baltimore in the offseason.
Batty’s objectives this spring extend beyond just understanding first base. He’s also considering the outfield, with Coach Mendoza suggesting he might start playing in right field to position himself better. “I feel like I’m a football receiver. I can catch fly balls and show off my arm,” Batty said, enthusiastic about the prospect.
Ultimately, he relishes being on the field, and if all goes as planned, he could regularly play first, second, and third base, along with left and right field.
“I thrive on facing challenges. I’ll do what it takes to get to bat and help the team succeed,” Batty stated, highlighting his versatile ambitions.
With Polanco shifting from the middle infield and Vientos—who’s set to play third base for Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic—being the most seasoned at the position yet only logging 12 major league games, it’s clear the new first basemen have a steep learning curve ahead.
They must get more accustomed to their positions by March 26, considering various gameplay elements, including positioning, holding runners, and understanding cutoffs. Coach Mendoza seems optimistic about their potential. “I’m comfortable with any of the three at first base,” he mentioned, adding that he looks forward to gathering as much data as possible on Batty’s performance. While it won’t be straightforward, Batty is ready to rise to the occasion.
