PORT STREET SEA — In a competition with limited options, Brett Batty not only avoided losing the Mets’ third baseman spot this spring, he didn’t have to win it.
In that respect he succeeded.
The Mets are scheduled to head north on Monday night with Batty as their Opening Day starter at third base, giving the 24-year-old former first-round pick a chance to showcase the organization’s present and future at the position.
Mark Vientos and Joey Wendle are the other key third basemen in camp this spring.
The Mets also pursued J.D. Davis as a free agent option that could provide insurance, but he ultimately signed with Oakland because of the chance for guaranteed playing time.
Batty has the highest ceiling as a total package of that group, and the Mets will begin determining whether he can be the answer at third base after a lackluster rookie season in Thursday’s opener at Citi Field. It will be.
“Spring is just trying to put my foot down and feel something,” Batty said before hitting a two-run homer in the Mets’ 10-5 exhibition win over the Tigers in Lakeland, Florida. I feel like that,” he said. Did it this year and it was good. ”
Batty has a respectable batting average of .250/.327/.477 with three home runs and six RBIs in the Grapefruit League, but those numbers are a no-no.
He said he was one of the players last season who performed well in the spring but was still reassigned to minor league camp.
Batty was a top candidate for the position this spring, but after a season in which he struggled offensively and defensively after being demoted to Triple-A Syracuse, he is being treated as if he is fighting for the position every day. Last season, he appeared in 108 games with the Mets, hitting .212/.275/.323 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs.
“I think we all just came here. Even if you’re not making $300 million like some of the people here, you’re all fighting for jobs.” said Batty. “I just came here and tried to be the best player I could be. I’m really happy to be able to move forward with the season.”
Batty impressed team officials in this week’s game by hitting a home run, staying on another pitch against a left-handed pitcher and hitting a single into the left field seats.
“He needs to simplify his mechanical adjustments and maintain his batting aim or aim relentlessly at the center of the field,” the scout said. “He’s very close to making the important adjustments he needs to hit and then start the early years of his career offensively.”
Vientos figures he will get opportunities primarily as a DH, but he has played third base just six times this spring. Wendle, a veteran utility man, will fill in at third base if needed.
Like Batty, Vientos trained with Francisco Lindor in the offseason with the goal of improving his defensive ability.
Batty’s spring included receiving his first coaching from Mike Sarbaugh, who was hired on new manager Carlos Mendoza’s staff to replace Joey Cora as third base and infield coach.
“I just like simple things.” [Sarbaugh] I’ll stick to that,” Batty said. “[Tuesday] This is my first time using positioning cards and they are very simple. He’s like, just hanging out. He should use his instincts and go play. And I like it very much. ”
Mendoza has seen promising signs from Batty late in camp.
“He’s on track to prepare,” Mendoza said this week. “Not only does he pitch well, but he also swings well. His bat gets into the hitting zone a lot quicker, and I feel like that’s impacting the baseball.
“He’s having a fun camp. I like the way he plays, the way he plays physically, mentally, defensively at the plate. He’s doing what he’s supposed to do.”
