Brett Batty is certainly making up for any lost opportunities.
The infielder, who bounced between Syracuse and the big leagues over the last couple of seasons, recently scored three straight starts. During a 6-5 loss to the Cubs at Citifield, he hit two home runs.
This marked his second consecutive night hitting a home run, and manager Carlos Mendoza had previously mentioned he wouldn’t rush Batty into the lineup after his recent call-up from Triple-A to fill in for Jesse Winker on the injured list.
However, Batty showcased his power by hitting a three-run shot to left field in the fourth inning, followed by another one to right in the eighth. “He knows he belongs in the big leagues,” Mendoza remarked, reflecting on Batty’s growing confidence.
Yet, Batty is mindful that if the Mets face another roster crunch, he might not stick around once Winker returns.
When asked about Mendoza’s statement affirming his place in the majors, Batty replied, “I’m not the one making those decisions.”
He stressed that he wouldn’t focus on his future location, except when directly questioned about it.
Instead, he’s prioritizing his performance in the batter’s box.
To improve, Batty has been using faster pitching machines in the cage to better simulate game scenarios.
“I’ve really challenged myself recently, and it’s paid off on the field,” Batty explained. “If I can push myself in practice, I’ll bring that same mindset to the game.”
Teammate Tylor Megill, also familiar with moving back and forth between the minors and the majors, expressed admiration for Batty’s progress.
“You can’t make a scene about it,” Megill noted. “You just handle it like a professional, keep your head up. He’s back and a different player, and he’s definitely contributing to our victories.”
Mendoza had recognized Batty’s improvements even before his recent stint in the minors.
“I felt confident about him in the last ten games before we sent him down. He was spreading the ball across the field, and he’s back to that level now,” Mendoza mentioned.
His emphasis is on ensuring all players are in a good spot, rather than just focusing on making sure Batty gets consistent playing time.
Nonetheless, Batty is making a strong case for a permanent position.
“I’m just focused on hitting hard and having solid at-bats,” he said.
As for the Mets, the longer they keep him, the better.
“I aim to be the best player I can be,” Batty commented regarding the potential roster situation. “I can’t control those decisions… I want to play every day.”
