Jupiter, Fla. – It features the Mets' starting infield featuring Brett Batty on 2 base, third Louis Sangel Accuna and non-roster invitee Luis de Los Santos who cried out spring training at the shortstop.
He also cried out the competition.
These three, and Donovan Walton, constitute a battle for the final roster.
Nick Madrigal's broken shoulder may have cost him his season, and now the race is quite wide open, so the fight lost the front runner.
Perhaps the Mets will prioritize experience (Walton will probably have the advantage).
Maybe the Mets will prioritize certain dominance and ability to play short stops (Acña and Delos Santos separate themselves as the top option to give Francisco Lindor a break).
Maybe the best bat of Spring will win the job (where Bati owns the strongest argument).
Carlos Mendoza emphasized that there is still time for the fight to unfold.
“We're three weeks away,” the manager said before his 6-1 defeat at Roger Dean Stadium on Tuesday. “There's a lot of things that could happen.”
There is no doubt about the Start unit. This will feature all locations except DH (left-handed Jesse Winker and Righty-Swinging Starling Marte, Health, Health, Will Platon), and both Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor may see the time.
Adding backup catcher Luis Torrens, there is only one bench spot available to players who can move all the infield.
Tuesday became particularly interesting as the Mets tried out some options from their last roster spot.
Bati, a proven three-base player, started with 2 bases and actually put the grounder in the field with a short stop.
Natural shortstop Acuña came in third place when he tried to prove his versatility.
Delos Santos, who played almost anywhere in the minors, but most often as shortstop, got off to a start for short.
Everything defended his position without any actual incidents. Acuña said he still learns 3 base but feels comfortable and Baty was grateful that he was involved in some relay plays that marked another box to check off.
“If I'm a utility guy, that's great,” said Butty, who has a .500-on-base percentage in Grapefruitreug after a strong spring and reaching base twice in three instances. “It's just everywhere on this team to help the team win.”
“I'm trying to prepare for what's to come,” Aknya said through interpreter Alan Sriel when asked about cracking the roster as a utility man. “These are things I don't control, but I prepare every day for that.”
The biggest issue the Mets face in the competition is whether playing him only a few times a week in the Major could potentially stunt potential customers' growth.
Would it better offer Bati or Aknya to try and find a spot start while playing daily with Triple A Syracuse or trying to find a major league pitching?
“I'll find a way to get a batting [for everyone] When we have to make these decisions as necessary,” Mendoza said.
If the Mets determine that Batty and Aknya need time every day at a lower level, the door opens for Walton and Delos Santos.
Walton is 30 years old and has played against Seattle and San Francisco in a five-year career, and has not yet been a hit (.532 OPS in 70 games).
However, he has a strong minor league track record, particularly in control of the strike zone, and owns a .370-on-base percentage with Triple-A.
De Los Santos, 26, played 599 career minor league games and made his 13-game debut with the Blue Jays last season. His best ability is his defensive versatility.
“He's a guy with big league experience and power,” Mendoza said of Delos Santos. “He can play anywhere. … – 1 base, 2 base too. He's a ball player. … This is a pretty stable guy. He controls the strike zone.”
You can choose De Los Santos, Baty, and Acuña, but Walton cannot.
The Mets resisted retrieving a portion of Jose Iglesias as they wouldn't allow veterans who are out of minor league options to manipulate the roster.
For example, if Baty wins his first day job, but Acuña excels at Syracuse to win a promotion, the two can flip it up without exempting anyone.
