On Wednesday, coach Carlos Mendoza described the decision regarding the lineup as “not an easy decision,” a marked change from earlier in the season.
The Mets were looking to adjust their lineup to address left-handed pitching from Bailey Furter, but the challenge lies in keeping Brett Baty out of it. His recent performance has made that increasingly difficult.
Baty, who sat out during the Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Pirates, has been the center of discussions around the team. Everyone is wondering: is he finally breaking out, or is this just another fleeting moment for someone who hasn’t consistently succeeded at the major league level?
Baseball Business president David Stearns noted that struggling prospects tend to eventually find their footing, as their skills can shine through at some point in their careers.
Over the weeks, Baty’s presence has been sporadic, with trips back and forth from Syracuse. After a slow start, he found himself hitting .139 in 12 games. He is definitely a player with potential, although he’s shown his fair share of struggles in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Yet, he demonstrated flashes of brilliance for a week, hitting two doubles and a home run in a seven-game stretch, boasting a .333 average and a 1.040 OPS.
Following some good performances, he was sent back to Triple-A Syracuse, primarily due to the roster adjustments surrounding Jeff McNeill’s return.
His reassessment was expedited when Jesse Turniker encountered an injury, allowing Baty to return with renewed momentum.
In a pinch-hitting role on Wednesday—taking over for Tyrone Taylor—Baty went 2-2, showcasing a .316 batting average with four home runs in his last seven games since being recalled.
This 14-game stretch has been a positive sign for a once-promising prospect who had struggled to make an impact in his first 181 major league games.
Stearns observed that the Baty he saw in the lower levels of baseball has returned. He mentioned, “I’m seeing the same quality at-bats I noticed in Syracuse.” Baty’s impressive .898 OPS in his Triple-A career certainly supports that viewpoint.
However, Stearns concedes that he doesn’t have a clear explanation for why Baty’s performance is translating better to the major league level now compared to the past.
Baty still has a journey ahead, with indications that there’s more potential to unlock, but it hasn’t yet coalesced into a steady major league batting average. Historically, his biggest challenge has been driving the ball, often resulting in grounders rather than solid contact.
Initially, in his first 12 games this year, about 52% of his hits resulted in ground balls, but that number decreased to 38% over the following 14 games, suggesting some improvement.
During Wednesday’s game, he had a hit that almost inflated into a rising fly, only to be snagged by pitcher Tanner Rainey.
Ultimately, it’s up to Stearns to decide whether Baty’s improvement is a sign of true promise or just an illusion. Meanwhile, Mark Vientos was given starts at second and third base against the Pirates on Wednesday, leaving the team eager to observe whether Baty’s success will persist.
Stearns mentioned, “There are probably a number of reasons for this transformation. Some of it is confidence, some is his raw talent, and some derives from preparation. It all culminated in a remarkable week for him.”
