New York Mets fans all over the world were calling for the promotion of Brett Baty to replace the struggling Eduardo Escobar. While I too was on that bandwagon I'd argue there is another prospect at Triple-A whose call-up is even more of a no-brainer.
Why it's time for the Mets to call up Mark Vientos
Mark Vientos has played 125 games at Triple-A since 2021 and has produced while playing there. He had a .877 OPS in 2022 with 24 HRs, and so far in 2023 he has a 1.109 OPS with 5 HRs in 14 games. Vientos has nothing left to prove in the minors. His bat is MLB-ready.
Vientos best quality at the plate is his big-time power, which is something the Mets lineup lacks. The Mets rank middle of the pack in HRs and 24th in slugging percentage. Vientos will help in both of those areas.
The Mets have a weak bench, they do not have many good pinch-hitting options. He could bat in big spots for Tomas Nido or come in for Daniel Vogelbach when a lefty is on the mound. There is a chance Vientos could even be a better hitter than Vogelbach right now.
The Mets have a productive offense but it is an offense that often relies on walks to score runs. That does not always work against the league's best pitchers. Nimmo, Canha, and Vogelbach are all similar hitters in that they are extremely patient. It might be good for the lineup to add a little variety in a power bat.
We are all excited about Brett Baty's call-up to the major leagues, he is the future everyday third baseman for the Mets. Vientos is a man without a position, his best position is when he is standing at the plate ready to hit. There is no more development needed for him at Triple-A. It is time for the Mets to see what he can do and if he can give the Mets lineup a boost.