On Wednesday morning, manager Carlos Mendoza looked into the Mets’ position player group fringe and admitted that Jeff McNeil will “not be an easy decision” about who will leave when he returns Friday.
By Wednesday afternoon, Brett Baty had already made that difficult decision a little more difficult.
It was based on the final tryout before a more decisive roster was decided by Friday, and Baty added the final item to his resume. His first home run, the one that was destroyed.
In two innings with Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, Butty saw the cutter cut across the plate and slammed onto the second deck of the right field for a two-run dinger leaving the 113.9-mile ball, the most intense hit ball of Batt’s major league career.
“That’s one of those things you don’t even feel like it’s coming out of the barrel,” Butty said after taking responsibility for the only run scored from Wheeler in the final 4-3, 10-inning victory at Citifield.
Homer may be able to give the Mets a chance to play a game and stick to Batty.
The Mets could make space for McNeil through choosing Baty or Luisangel Acuña or specifying José Azócar for assignment (opening Acuña’s fourth outfield spot).
A few weeks ago, the Mets probably hadn’t reconsidered the relegation of Bati or Aknya.
But both got stronger – Baty has promoted his OPS from .238 to .598 in the last 11 games. He went 33-9 (.273) with Homer, triple and two doubles.
Batty – Batty, the first pick who consistently stumbled over his big league chances in 2019, may understand that.
“In the first few weeks I felt like I was just in between pitches,” Baty said, looking back at the rough beginning of his season.
He was a threat in the batsman’s box.
He made solid defenses with 2 bases and 3 bases.
He did what he was asked, and so did Ackna.
Meanwhile, Azócar received just seven at-bats, but had three hits.
The 28-year-old has a history of playing three seasons for the Padres and being a solid defender in three outfield positions, which is worth it.
He can no longer be selected for minor leagues, so if exposed he may be lost in exemption, but Baty or Acuña will remain in the organization if sent.
Baty admitted that uncertainty was “really difficult” and said he tried to focus solely on the game.
“It’s part of the business and something we signed up to, so I can’t really do anything about it,” Baty said. “You just need to get out there and win the game.”
The Mets were leaving for Washington for a series that begins Friday on Wednesday night.
It was unclear whether the entire current roster was traveling.
“I have to go back and talk to David. [Stearns] Now let’s see what we’re trying to do,” Mendoza said.
