Mark Vientos’ statline doesn’t lend itself toward an abundance of optimism heading into the 2024 season.
In 254 career at-bats, he owns a .205 average and a .610 OPS with 10 home runs and 25 RBI. This year, however, he’s going to have something he hasn’t experienced for long: consistent playing time.
Vientos’ position going into the new year is uncertain at the start of Spring Training. He’s a natural third baseman who can compete for playing time with Brett Baty, but he also could see time backing up Pete Alonso at first base. His best shot, however, appears to be at the designated hitter spot, which president of baseball operations David Stearns opted not to address this offseason — at least as of yet.
“If he’s in the lineup, that means he’s playing well, whether that’s at third, first base, DH. It’ll play itself out,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “There’s going to be progression. There’s going to be a plan in place for him making sure [he’s] getting reps in games.”
The 24-year-old isn’t long removed from being one of the organization’s top prospects, but he rode the merry-go-round between the majors and Triple-A ever since an initial call-up two summers ago.
He got just 36 at-bats in September of 2022. After a scorching start in the minors last season — he posted a 1.104 OPS with 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 38 games — he was recalled to the majors but only received 45 at-bats in the Mets’ 25 games between May 17-June 14. He batted just .178 during that stretch before getting sent down to Triple-A.
“It’s an adjustment right now,” Vientos told amNewYork shortly before that demotion in June. “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.”
Upon the Mets falling out of contention and waving the white flag at the trade deadline — and amidst a rash of injuries — Vientos was back up in the majors where he began to see more action.
He appeared in 42 of the Mets’ final 56 games of the campaign and began to particularly hit his stride when he was receiving everyday playing time at the DH spot.
In 22 games from Aug. 29-Sept. 27 — a 25-game stretch for the Mets — Vientos slashed .272/.314/.556 (.870 OPS) with seven home runs and 12 RBI. That’s an unrealistic 162-game pace of 52 home runs with 88 RBI, but it at least provided concrete evidence that there is an avenue for him to find success at the major league level.
“I feel like playing every single day gives me the opportunity to showcase myself at my best,” Vientos said down in St. Lucie (h/t Anthony DiComo, MLB.com). “If I get the opportunity to do that, I’m not going to look back for sure.”
