Heading into spring training, the idea of Brett Baty and/or Mark Vientos cracking the Mets’ Opening Day roster was a long shot. But there was also a unique opportunity ahead of them.
New York’s entire starting infield — Omar Narvaez, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Francisco Lindor, and Eduardo Escobar — left Port St. Lucie for the World Baseball Classic. So, instead of having to fight for reps in Grapefruit League games, both Baty and Vientos got to play more than they would’ve in a “normal” spring.
The infielders took advantage. Entering Saturday, each of them has impressed in the field and at the dish.