5 Mets players who need to make the most of any playing time they get in 2023

3) NY Mets infielder Mark Vientos needs to prove he can hit MLB pitching with his consistent at-bats

Mets fans have spent a majority of the season clamoring for Mark Vientos to get regular at-bats out of the DH spot over Daniel Vogelbach. Vientos had unbelievable numbers in AAA in each of the last two years, yet the Mets refused to play him at the MLB level or give him that opportunity on another team via trade.

Now that the Mets have waved the white flag on 2023, Vientos is getting his first crack at every day at-bats. He started five of the six games on the road trip, and started the Mets first game back. He started one game at third base, one at first, and the rest at DH. I expect Vientos to have some appearances in the field, but I really only care about his bat, as his glove likely isn't good enough to play anywhere anyway.

So far with this everyday playing time, Vientos hasn't done much. He has just three hits in 23 at-bats with seven strikeouts since the trade deadline. A six-game sample size doesn't mean much, but if Vientos doesn't do much over the next couple of month it becomes very hard to not start him in the minors once again.

With his limitations in the field, Vientos must hit to be a MLB player. It's really that simple. This is his chance to prove he can do that.