2 NY Mets players who've played their way onto the Opening Day roster, 2 who played their way off

Final New York Mets Opening Day roster decisions remain up for discussion, but outside of injury, we have a clear picture of some players who will be here and others who won’t. Spring training isn’t the end all, be all of deciding on who makes the 26-man roster. However, for those fringe major league players, it can often lead to breaking any ties.

The Mets went into spring training with several position battles. Many have changed direction due to the availability of certain players and also the performance of some more. Looking at where things stand today, with Opening Day less than two weeks away, we can reasonably say these two players have played their way onto the team while these other two have taken themselves out of consideration.

Brett Baty has played his way onto the Opening Day roster

There was a chance Brett Baty would, yet again, return to Syracuse where he’d gain nothing and lose whatever remaining confidence he had left. At least he’d have a new car.

Maybe it’s being buddies with Mark Vientos. Perhaps it’s inferior pitching in spring training. Could it be that Baty has simply woken up? He has hit well in the spring before, but never has his back been smooshed so hard up against the wall like it was this spring.

Hoping to earn the last spot on the bench, Baty became the clear cut winner ahead of Luisangel Acuna. Due to the injury suffered by Jeff McNeil, Baty could very well end up as more than a bench piece. Starting second baseman on Opening Day? It’s a twist you wouldn’t have expected months ago.

Contained within his noteworthy spring performance are 13 games played and 12 hits in 32 at-bats. Of those hits, 5 have been for extra-bases, with 3 landing him on second base with a double and another pair all the way back home. While we’ve seen this kind of performance from Baty in springs past, it is a positive turn nonetheless to see him embrace every obstacle thrown his way even if self-fulfilled. He has earned his roster spot.