The Mets have traded for two lefty hitters in the final week — Daniel Vogelbach and Tyler Naquin — they usually stay in the market for a veteran righty hitter. But they really feel they’ve an inside fallback in the event that they fail to accumulate a Trey Mancini or J.D. Martinez kind.
It just isn’t, nevertheless, Francisco Alvarez.
The Mets have been utilizing Mark Vientos extra often as their designated hitter at Triple-A to familiarize him with the function, simply in case he’s the choice following the trade deadline.
Vientos was not used as a DH earlier than June 17 this season, however has been deployed at that place 10 occasions since. That consists of six of his final 11 begins by way of Thursday. In the opposite 5 video games, Vientos began at first base 3 times and third twice. And whereas the Mets would really like his versatility if he have been summoned to the majors, they produce other gamers at these positions they’re extra probably to make use of.
Pete Alonso, clearly, is the first first baseman. With the acquisition of Naquin, Jeff McNeil is about to have his outfield enjoying time lowered and develop into a way more common second baseman. Luis Guillorme will achieve much more time at third base, particularly versus righty starters, in conjunction with Eduardo Escobar. Vientos would primarily be assuming the function of J.D. Davis, who could possibly be used as a trade chip earlier than the trade deadline at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Vientos is the Mets’ fifth-ranked prospect, based on MLB.com. At Triple-A this yr, the 22-year-old righty swinger entered the weekend hitting .261 with 18 homers and an .855 OPS. If he have been summoned by the Mets, Vientos would obtain a lot of his enjoying time towards lefties, versus whom he was hitting .322 for Syracuse with 10 homers and 1.090 OPS.
Alvarez is the Mets’ top-rated prospect, however in his first 13 video games since being promoted to Triple-A, he was hitting simply .146, although he did have two homers and practically as many walks (13) as strikeouts (17). The Mets have been cautious about dashing up Alvarez’s development resulting from his age (20) and concern about inserting him into the center of a pennant race with all of the hype that may include that.
