The New York Mets have made the decision to option third baseman Brett Baty to Triple-A, according to an announcement made by the team on Monday. Baty, who was ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Mets organization heading into the season by The Athletic’s Keith Law, has struggled to find his form this year. Let’s take a closer look at what has gone wrong for Baty and why the Mets have made this decision.
Baty was called up to the majors in mid-April and has been serving as the Mets’ everyday third baseman since then. However, the 23-year-old has had a tough time at the plate, batting just .216 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 311 plate appearances. He has also gone hitless since August 1, striking out eight times in the six games since the Mets became sellers at the trade deadline.
According to The Athletic’s analysis, Baty has struggled to tap into his raw power because he has been hitting the ball on the ground too often. Additionally, while his defense has improved, it is still considered subpar for the major leagues. Although there have been moments when it seemed like Baty was breaking out, he has been unable to sustain any consistent success.
Since May 3, Baty has hit under .200 with five home runs and an OPS of just .572. These numbers indicate a significant decline in his performance and likely contributed to the Mets’ decision to send him down to Triple-A.
Interestingly, Baty’s demotion comes at a time when the Mets have given up on the 2023 season and are focusing on major-league development. General manager Billy Eppler had mentioned Baty as someone he wanted to see progress before anyone else. However, Baty’s struggles have led the Mets to believe that he needs a physical and mental reset, which they hope he will find in Triple-A.
The Mets plan to bring Baty back to the majors later this season, but no specific timeline has been provided. In the meantime, the team will need to find a replacement for him at third base. With Eduardo Escobar traded away in June and Luis Guillorme on the injured list with a calf strain, Mark Vientos is expected to see more playing time at third base. However, Vientos is considered less polished defensively compared to Baty.
Fans have been calling for Ronny Mauricio to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse, but his offensive performance has dipped recently. Since the start of June, Mauricio has been hitting .227 with a .286 on-base percentage and .672 OPS. Additionally, he has not played third base this season, as the Mets have been testing him at second base and left field instead.
For now, veteran Danny Mendick has been playing at third base, with Vientos serving as the designated hitter. However, the Mets’ lineup may change as they continue to evaluate their options.
Baty’s journey this season has been challenging, starting with right thumb inflammation that caused him to miss the Opening Day roster. He had previously undergone surgery on the same thumb to repair a torn ligament. Last August, Baty made his MLB debut and struggled, hitting just .184 with a .244 on-base percentage and a .342 slugging percentage during his stint in the majors. However, he performed well in Triple-A Syracuse before being called up, batting .400 with 15 RBIs in nine games.
As Baty heads to Triple-A for a reset, it remains to be seen how he will respond and whether he can regain his form. The Mets are hopeful that he will take this opportunity to gather himself and make a strong comeback. In the meantime, the team will continue to explore their options at third base and evaluate their young prospects for future success.
(Photo: Erik Williams / USA Today)