NEW YORK — For the fourth straight season, the New York Mets have provided Brett Baty an opportunity. This one is different for a few reasons. Second base is new for him. Jeff McNeil, the incumbent second baseman, is working his way back from an oblique injury. And in the meantime, Baty is splitting time with Luisangel Acuña. All that to say, with fresh context, this chance is all about what Baty makes of it.
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Through two weeks, Baty hasn’t done anything with it except raise the question of how many more opportunities he should see.
“That’s always kind of in the back of your mind,” Baty said. “But what I try to tell myself is I just have to control what I can control. If I see my name in the lineup, control what I can control that day.”
Baty is not in immediate jeopardy of being sent to Triple A, people familiar with the club’s thinking said. In the past, Mets officials have noted it is important to give their younger players opportunities. In Baty’s case — at least specific to this season — the sample is small. Too small to make a move, particularly with a player splitting time, a player who needs some confidence. But time is nonetheless a factor on some level. McNeil is scheduled to start a rehab assignment later this week in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Inside the Mets’ 5-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, Baty committed a costly throwing error and went hitless in three at-bats, striking out twice.
Baty made the right decision in trying for the lead runner and throwing to second base after fielding a grounder with none out in the fifth inning, but his execution was amiss. His throw sailed way out of the reach of shortstop Francisco Lindor. With runners on first and second, the Marlins’ next batter, Matt Mervis, hit a single to give Miami a 1-0 lead.
Aside from Wednesday, Baty’s defense is not the issue. The problem is his bat.
On Mets Post Game Live, @Todd_Zeile talks about Brett Baty being “in-between” at the plate and how Baty can change his approach to get things turned around: pic.twitter.com/5QzxqHuJcw
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 9, 2025
In 10 games, he is 3-for-27 (.111 batting average) with one double and 11 strikeouts. He has yet to walk.
Before the game, manager Carlos Mendoza said he wanted Baty to “dictate” at-bats. Meaning: position himself in counts advantageous for hitters. Hasn’t happened. Too often, Baty instead falls behind in counts:
• Baty has started an at-bat by looking at a strike 11 times.
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• He has fallen behind 0-1 in the count 18 times.
• He has fallen behind 0-2 in the count 11 times.
• He has fallen behind 1-2 in the count 11 times.
For his struggles, Baty cited a bout of “indecision” and “not having the finger on the trigger.”
He added: “Just not letting them get ahead is something I need to work on. Just being more aggressive, I think, would help out a lot.”
Baty improved his swing decisions after his first at-bat Wednesday — a strikeout on three pitches. It wasn’t enough. With the count full in the fifth inning, Baty struck out looking. In his final at-bat, Baty hit a routine grounder to the third baseman. After each of his last two at-bats, the crowd at Citi Field booed him loudly.
Baty, formerly a top prospect, has tested the faith of fans. But Mets officials continue to see his tools and talent. Baty had a great spring training, hitting .353. It hasn’t translated into the regular season.
“We believe in the player,” Mendoza said.
While waiting for McNeil, the Mets’ OPS at second base is .364, better than only the Texas Rangers at the position (.344). Acuña has also struggled — he is 3-for-19. In Triple A, the Mets’ more experienced options such as Donovan Walton (6-for-33) and Luis De Los Santos (4-for-31) haven’t gotten off to great starts, either. Conceptually, the Mets could always look for another reserve-type middle infielder.
For his part, Baty has kept working. He spent the early morning hours Wednesday in the batting cage using high-speed and mix-pitch machines, trying to work on his swing decisions and chase. He said he entered the game feeling good. After the game, though, while discussing being “in-between” on pitches, Baty said confidence could play a small role in his struggles. But he did not want to use anything as an excuse for performance.
“Overall,” Baty said, “I definitely need to be better.”
(Photo of Brett Baty striking out in the fifth inning Wednesday: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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