Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Coming into spring training, there were question marks surrounding Brett Baty‘s defense at third base. A week and some change before opening day, Baty has put those questions to bed.

Tim Healey of Newsday spoke with Eric Chavez about Baty’s improved defense, who credited his refined defense to an epiphany.

“Baty, 23, took a huge step toward proving it to himself last week when he had an ‘epiphany,’ as Chavez called it, that maybe this whole third-base thing didn’t need to be as difficult as it has felt,” Healey wrote.

Baty’s epiphany couldn’t have come at a better time. The Mets’ second-overall prospect came into spring training as a left-handed platoon option but now has an outside chance to become the Mets’ starting third basemen for the 2023 season.

“He’s a big-league third baseman,” Chavez told Healey. “There’s not even a question in my mind. Now it’s proving it to himself.”

Chavez, who won six Gold Gloves at third base during his MLB tenure, is the second former big-leaguer to praise Baty’s defense. During the 2022-2023 offseason, Baty worked with Troy Tulowitzki, who spoke to Will Sammon of the Athletic about Baty’s capabilities on defense.

“Some people need to get better because they aren’t athletic enough or don’t have the arm strength,” Tulowitzki said. He’s got all the tools. He just needs some reps.”

Baty’s refined defense isn’t just a spring fluke. Speaking with Healey about his new mentality, Baty realized that he had more time to make plays at the hot corner.

“Being able to see that from the side and just really see that distance, it clicked for me. I was able to slow everything down… I’ve always felt like I could get to all the balls. But then I would rush myself because I wouldn’t understand, OK, I have a little bit more time to read the ball than I’m thinking.”

Spring training has also allowed Baty to work directly with Chavez on his defense, who stated he started showing Baty a video of Scott Rolen. These videos were instrumental for Baty, who told Healey that he needed to be calmer at the position.

“All the elite fielders know exactly how much time they have, so they’re never rushing. They take their time, make a good throw and it looks like a bang-bang play but they knew they had that time.”

Baty’s defense was the last hurdle in front of him before he could be trusted to start at third base. His offense, which he has displayed in spring training by slashing .342/.468/.447/.915, has never been questioned, and now, the Mets’ have a big decision to make before Opening Day. Either start Baty—who is the future at third base for the Mets’—at third base or start Eduardo Escobar, who has the bigger contract and is a leader in the Mets’ clubhouse.