3 Spring Training observations Mets fans should be optimistic about

Feb 27, 2023; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and third baseman
Feb 27, 2023; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and third baseman / Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Mets come in with a different mindset this season. After winning 101 games last year and reaching the playoffs, the next season's goal is to win the world series.

To achieve this, the front office has assembled a competitive roster, which is being tested in spring training. So far this preseason, a few topics stand out the most but three of them should make Mets fans optimistic.

1) The top Mets prospects are making quality and hard-hit contact

The Mets' offense has looked good so far in MLB training camp, but the prospects are the ones who are shining. Bret Batty is the Mets player with the most hits in spring training, Ronny Mauricio is the Mets player with the most home runs, and Mark Vientos is the player with the most at-bats connecting the ball with strength.

Baty is the player who looks with the best quality contact. He has hit in more than 50% of his at-bats, with a batting average and OPS among the top leaders this spring training. His bat has been red hot, hitting the ball with power despite not being reflected in his home run numbers, hitting multiple balls over 100 mph, and going in all directions of the field.

Mauricio has been a player awarded multiple highlights for his incredible power. The MVP of the Dominican Republic Winter Baseball League sits as the team leader in home runs alongside Pete Alonso and the league leaders in OPS and SLG.


Vientos is the player who has seen the most at-bats so far this preseason, hitting more than three hits per 10 turns and ranking among the team and league leaders in SLG and OPS. "Swaggy V" as he's called, displayed an arsenal of power, homering twice in one game with batting averages of 111.0 and 108.7, respectively, amassing a total distance of 896 feet.

2) Mets star players are having a good performance

It's not just the Mets' top prospects who are doing well in spring training. Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and the top three of the starting rotation are making good performances in spring training.

In Alonso's case, who will be a free agent after this season, he is the second with the most at-bats on the team and leads with Ronny Mauricio in home runs. He owns an SLG and OPS well above the league average, proving his bat is ready for the World Baseball Classic and the 2023 season.

Lindor is making some quality contact this preseason. Francisco comes from his best season with the organization in 2022 and is a candidate to exploit all his talent and compete for the MVP this 2023. Lindor has hit in almost 50% of his at-bats, using the entire field, with power and run production. He is currently one of the leaders in more connected balls over 100 mph.

Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Kodai Senga have launched at least one start each in spring training, demonstrating the good stuff that each one has. Despite adjusting to the new pitching clock rule, they have accumulated more than ten strikeouts in just over nine innings pitched, limiting runs allowed and showing great speed on their fastball. Among them, Senga first showed his "Ghost" forkball on North American soil by striking out super prospect Jordan Walker and escaping the first inning unharmed.

3) Edwin Diaz continues to prove his arsenal and dominance

The best closer in the major leagues in 2022 has pitched a couple of times in this spring training before leaving to represent his native country, Puerto Rico, in the World Baseball Classic. Diaz, who was coaching this offseason with his brother, potential Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz, is poised to have another great season in 2023.

Diaz has one strikeout for every inning pitched so far in Spring Training and despite showing some lack of control on some pitches, his WHIP remains below 1.50. His fastball continues to be on display early this preseason with his slider reaching 92 mph.

Last season his slider averaged 90.2 MPH and managed to limit an opposition batting to just .114 and a .134 SLG. This preseason the AVG and SLG allowed is close to last year with just .143 allowing around four hits per nine innings.

Diaz's presence in the Mets bullpen is more than necessary in search of the championship. For this reason, the Mets have decided to take care of his arm and not allow him to pitch in consecutive games in the WBC to avoid any injury and discomfort that may develop in an environment as competitive as that event.

Next. Mets stories we hope to see unfold this 2023 season. dark

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