Mark Vientos’ demotion to Triple-A predicated on sporadic playing time with Mets

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QUEENS — Mark Vientos went from playing every day as the red-hot anchor of the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate to seeing his playing time practically cut in half in the big leagues — and it was something he had trouble getting used to.

“It’s an adjustment right now,” Vientos told amNewYork. “I’m just learning how to get used to the system and trying to continue my work and trying to learn as much as possible.

“If that’s the situation I’m in, then it is what it is.”

The 23-year-old infielder and designated hitter was demoted to Triple-A on Sunday following Pete Alonso’s activation from the 10-day injured list to bring another brief stint in the big leagues to a disappointing end.

After lighting the minors up at the start of the 2023 season, slashing .333/.416/.688 (1.104 OPS) with 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 38 games, the offensively-needy Mets called him up to the big leagues on May 17. In that 27-game stretch, he appeared just 16 times and has started 13 of those, amassing only 45 at-bats in the process. 

Throughout the inconsistent stretch, he was batting just .178 with a .469 OPS, one home run, and five RBI — something that doesn’t make assimilating to major-league pitching much easier. 

“At this point, Mark needs to get some at-bats down there,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said on Sunday. “In his career, he’s had the equivalent of a month in the major leagues… I think Mark at some point in his career, the waters may part and he may get to play every day somewhere.

It forced Vientos to tweak his preparation work, which consisted of more time in the batting cage rather than getting in-game experience.

“It’s a lot different than playing every single day,” he said. “When you’re playing every single day, you have the comfort of getting playing time and seeing pitching and being in there every day. Right now, I’m just trying to figure out how to stay ready.

“While I’m not playing every day, I feel like I’m learning and I feel like I’m getting better as time goes on.”

It’s that mindset that sat well with Showalter, which will at least keep the 23-year-old in the mix moving forward should the Mets need it.

“I love how his work habits seemed more focused on things,” Showalter said. “He’s shown the ability to hit the ball hard when there’s contact… He has a chance to be a good hitter and I think he’s starting to make strides defensively. I think we’ll see him again.”

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