Mark Vientos has done everything the Mets asked of him since being recalled from Triple-A in mid-May.
But there was an inevitable lull a week ago when manager Carlos Mendoza said the third baseman was chasing pitches and praised Vientos for quickly adapting to opposing pitchers’ adjustments.
After hitting a home run in his final at-bat against the Cubs in Chicago on Sunday and then two more in Tuesday’s 9-7 win over the Yankees, Vientos credited the turnaround to a familiar face: Carlos Beltran.
Beltran, now a special assistant to president of baseball operations David Stearns, said before Tuesday’s game that Vientos is one of the team’s young hitters he’s trying to develop.
He was with the team on its recent trip to Chicago, and Vientos said he received some helpful advice from Beltran.
“He said, ‘You have to think about the center and the center-right. [when approaching an at-bat]” Vientos said. “That makes the game easier.”
The strategy worked against Cole, as Vientos homered on a four-seam fastball to left field in the second inning and then homered on another four-seam fastball to right-center field in the fourth.
“He can pitch short, throw simple, not think too much about it and hit the ball,” Mendoza said. “Pull side, opposite, the power is real.”
Vientos said his two home runs came from that mindset: “I was just trying to keep it really simple, just trying to put the bat on the ball. Where I get into trouble is when I try to do too much.”
The fact that it came off a home run from reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cole, who was making his second start of the season, made the win even sweeter.
“It feels good to get two hits off Joe Schmo,” Vientos said. “Gerrit Cole is a great pitcher. I have nothing but respect for him.”
Tuesday marked the latest sign of an upturn this season for Vientos, and for the Mets.
He worked hard at Triple-A Syracuse for most of the first six weeks while Brett Batty played third base in Queens.
Vientos was originally defeated by Batty for the Mets’ opening day third baseman position and was recalled from the minor leagues on May 15.
The move was made in part because Batty had struggled against left-handed pitchers for a long time, but as a lefty, he also wasn’t very good against right-handed pitchers.
The first inning of a Mets victory. Robert Sabo, NY Post
Meanwhile, the right-handed Vientos has had a solid streak against right-handed pitchers (.761 OPS) and a dominating streak against left-handed pitchers (1.021).
“Honestly, I was pretty confident. [that] “I knew if I just played every day and did what I was supposed to do, I’d be OK,” Vientos said. “It feels good, for sure.”
On Tuesday, he took advantage of Cole’s declining velocity.
In the second inning, Vientos hit Cole’s first pitch, a 92 mph four-seam fastball, then in the fourth inning, on a 1-1 pitch, he hit a 91 mph four-seam fastball the other way.
The Mets needed all of Vientos’ offensive firepower as the Yankees stormed back late in the game to pull within two runs.
The Mets still had questions about Vientos’ defense at third base, and he was replaced by Jose Iglesias in the ninth inning, but as long as Vientos’ hitting continues, he will likely continue to contribute to their turnaround season.
