Mookie Wilson on Brett Baty: ‘He’s gonna be a good one’
Legendary New York Mets center fielder Mookie Wilson had high praise for young third baseman Brett Baty Wednesday afternoon.
“I watched him a little bit last year. I do like him. Unfortunately, he got hurt,” Wilson said to SNY reporters. “I like his energy, big kid. Interesting to see what his impact is going to be, but I do like him. Made a great play at third base last night, and it looks like he’s gonna be a good one.”
Baty, 23, is still bursting onto the scene as a big leaguer. He only had 38 plate appearances last season before an injury cost him the remainder of his rookie season.
Mets fans have been excited about Baty for years now, but most fans only remember Baty for slugging an opposite-field home run in his first career plate appearance.
Who’s the Starting Third Baseman?
The Mets, after missing out on Carlos Correa‘s services, have an interesting third baseman job up for grabs. On Opening Day it’ll be the veteran Eduardo Escobar, but Baty is expected to be with the big-league club come March 31.
Similarly to Baty, the Mets have third baseman Mark Vientos in the minor leagues who could be ready to take over at any time. Vientos is known for hitting for power but has struggled at the major league level when given the opportunity.
So, the job at the beginning of the 2023 season is between Baty and Escobar.
Baty’s biggest weakness at this point in MLB has been defense, but he flashed the leather on Tuesday night. He made a really nice throw moving to his right, falling away from the first baseman.
It’s also safe to say that Baty has been raking this spring. He’s put up an impressive nine hits in 19 at-bats, five RBIs and a 1.208 OPS.
In my opinion though, it’s Escobar’s job to lose. If he comes out and has the type of numbers that he did during September, Baty won’t get the job. But if he struggles? It’s Baty’s job for the taking.
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