Brett Baty. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
After scoring only two runs on Opening Day on Friday, the Triple-A Syracuse Mets offense exploded for 16 runs and five home runs on Saturday in their 16-6 win over the Worcester Red Sox. The Mets were led by third base prospect Brett Bay, who hit two home runs and knocked in five runs.
Catcher Francisco Álvarez and first baseman Mark Vientos each hit a solo home run and shortstop Ronny Mauricio knocked in two runs as four of the Mets’ top eight prospects fueled the Syracuse offensive outburst.
No. 2 @Mets prospect Brett Baty was sent to Triple-A to open the year to become a "complete baseball player."
He responded by hitting two homers — including a grand slam — and making a diving catch on Day 2 of the @SyracuseMets season: https://t.co/QGZ7pQFImy pic.twitter.com/y3pZwLFuAR
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 2, 2023
- DH Danny Mendick 2-for-5, 3 R, BB
- 3B Brett Baty 4-for-5, 2 HR, 4 R, 5 RBI, BB, SB
- C Francisco Álvarez 1-for-4, HR, 2 BB, 2 R
- 1B Mark Vientos 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, BB
- 2B Jonathan Arauz 3-for-6, 4 RBI, 2B, R
- SS Ronny Mauricio 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
- CF Lorenzo Cedrola 1-for-6, R
- RF Khalil Lee 3-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 R
- LF Jose Peraza 2-for-5, RBI
Baty got the Mets on the board early with a first inning 419-foot home run to center field. Mets’ starter Joey Lucchesi gave up a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning.
Second baseman Araúz gave the Mets a 3-2 lead in third inning with a two-in run single. Syracuse extended their lead in the fourth inning with Vientos getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and then Araúz hit his second two-run single of the game to increase the Mets lead to 6-2.
- LHP Joey Lucchesi 4 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
- RHP William Woods 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
- RHP Grant Hartwig 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
- RHP Jimmy Yacabonis 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The Mets were winning 7-3 going into the top of the sixth before they turned it into a blowout. Mauricio scored two on a double and later in the inning Baty blasted a grand slam to put the Mets up by 10. This home run by Baty came off a 97-mph fastball from a lefty that he turned around at 111.5 mph and went 413 feet.
Back-to-back jacks! 💪
Francisco Álvarez and @MarkVientos_5 both homered in the ninth for the @SyracuseMets today. pic.twitter.com/MBAJqgZD5B
— Mets Player Development (@MetsPlayerDev) April 2, 2023
With the Mets cruising to their first win of the season, Álvarez and Vientos hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the ninth inning to put the Mets up 16-6 over the Red Sox. The blast was a big one by Vientos coming off the bat at 110.8 mph and traveling 450 feet.
Both of Baty’s home runs came on 1-2 pitches against left-handed pitchers. He also made a diving catch in the field as he continues to show improved defense going back to major league spring training.
Less than a week after finding out he wouldn’t make the Mets’ big league Opening Day roster, Baty is showing Mets brass that he’s ready for the big leagues. Eduardo Escobar, the winner of the Mets’ third base job, is 1-for-12 with four strikeouts to start the season. Baty could force the Mets’ hand sooner rather than later if he keeps playing well on both sides of the ball.
