MMO Exclusive: Top Prospect Mark Vientos Checks In

Name: Mark Anthony Vientos
Born: Dec 11, 1999
High School: American Heritage, Plantation, Fla.
Ht.: 6’4″ / Wt.: 185 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R

Mark Vientos was just 17 years old when the Mets selected him in the second round of the 2017 Draft out of American Heritage (Fla.) High School, the same program that produced Eric Hosmer.

Scouts are all in agreement when discussing Vientos’ immense power, his prodigious home run swing, and those impressive exit velocities.

The 21-year-old third baseman began the 2021 season at Double-A Binghamton where he clubbed 22 home runs and batted .282 with a .530 slugging percentage before being promoted to Triple-A Syracuse.

“He has the makeup of an everyday third baseman with his power and his size,” Mets scout Tony DeFrancesco said.

“He’s got power to all fields, and a nice short stroke.”

Mark was kind enough to spare some time to talk to me and I think you’re going to enjoy reading about this impressive young man and top Mets prospect.

* * * * * * *

Joe: Hey there Mark… Congratulations on a great season that culminated in a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse at ripe old age of 21.

What were your thoughts when you finally got the call that you had been promoted to Triple-A?

Mark: It was exciting and a great honor. I was now one step closer to my ultimate goal of playing at the major league level and helping the organization win another World Series.

Joe:  Mets scout Tony DeFrancesco said last spring,  that you had the makeup of an everyday third baseman at the major league level with your power and size. Is that how you envision yourself?

Mark: Absolutely. I envision myself playing third base for a long time in the major leagues. That’s what I work for day in and day out.

I’m also learning two different positions and trying to make myself more valuable and versatile. I am open to playing outfield as well as first or third base if it helps my team. Whatever it takes to stay in the lineup, that’s fine by me. My goal is to help the team in anyway possible.

Joe: How comfortable were you playing two new positions this season in left field and first base? Was one of those positions more comfortable than the other?

Mark: At first I wasn’t comfortable at all and I had to learn everything on the go. During the season, they [the Mets] basically told me, “hey we’re gonna put you in left field and we’re gonna give you some reps at first base.”

I tried to figure it out and after a couple of days I started to feel more comfortable. I mean, I know I’m going to get better and better as I play more games at those positions. But yeah I felt much more comfortable as the season went on and I played those positions more often.

Joe: Yeah, it actually reminds me a little of Jeff McNeil. He kind of went through a stretch in the minors where he kept hitting very well at every level. His bat was definitely MLB ready, but they didn’t really have his position open. Eventually he got the call and they started playing him at second and short and left field just to keep his bat in the lineup. He became one of the key players on the team and actually made the All-Star team in his second season while playing four different positions.

What do you plan on doing this offseason to continue improving your defense at third base, and will you continue to focus on getting more comfortable at first and left?

Mark: I will probably continue what I was doing last offseason… I think that worked out perfectly for me. I look forward to working with my fielding coach. I will work on throwing, fielding and on my footwork. It’s important to get a lot of reps when learning a new position or positions.

I don’t see it taking a long time for me to get very comfortable at those positions. Hey, I’m a baseball player… I can play whatever position they put me at… I can learn on the go.

Joe: You have the right mindset and l admire your commitment and motivation. So let’s move on…

What was the biggest difference you saw between the opposing pitching in Double-A and Triple-A?

Mark: Not really that big of a difference in terms of the types of pitches you see. Triple-A pitchers were definitely more polished and they worked smarter. Double-A, on the other hand, was more power pitchers..

Joe: More fastballs?

Mark: Not really more fastballs, but sharper stuff with more velo. And there was a definite lack of control sometimes. At Triple-A, everything was around the zone, more so.

Joe: So tell me… you having fun?

Mark: I am having a blast. I  am having so much fun right now. I’m very fortunate to be where I am in my life.

Joe: Were there any players on your team who really impressed you last season?

Mark: Hmm. . Khalil Lee for sure.

Joe: I love that guy…

Mark: Yeah, he really is a great player. He can hit, he can hit for power, and man he’s fast.

Another player who impressed me was Jose Butto when I was in Binghamton. Showed a lot of poise and had really good stuff. Butto is gonna be a great, great pitcher.

Joe: What did you learnl during your first big league spring training?

Mark: How to carry myself off and on the field. The way they went about their business, the way they took care of their routines every day. And more so, how professional they are.

It’s so different. You can see the difference between major league baseball players and minor league baseball players by the way they carry themselves and the way they go about their routines.

At the end of the day, this is a game that we love. But we got to realize it’s also our job and we have to take it seriously and responsibly. But it’s important to love what you do, you always love what you do.

Joe: What was it like being in the same dugout as Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto and Francisco Lindor?

Mark: Amazing.  Especially meeting all those players that I grew up watching at a young age, like Lindor for example.

They taught me how to carry myself day in and day out. I would ask all of them what what advice they could give to a young player like myself who is trying to someday play at the major league level beside them.

Joe: Last time we interviewed you in 2017, you mentioned you grew up a Mets fan. How did that come about and who were some of your favorite players?

Mark: I grew up watching the Mets. My dad was a huge Mets fan and I grew up watching guys like Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Beltran. My dad still watches the Mets, he’s a big fan, especially now.

Joe: Such a frustrating and disappointing season for the Mets. There was a lot of high expectations for this team.

Mark: Yeah… I know.

Joe: Did you know that since 2006, only seven players have hit 20+ home runs with a .920 or better OPS before turning 22 in Double-A?

You have joined an exclusive list that includes Javier Baez, Mike Moustakas, Giancarlo Stanton and Evan Longoria. That’s some pretty damn good company.

Mark: I didn’t know that. It’s super, super surreal to me to be mentioned with players like that. These major leaguers have made a name for themselves and this is more motivation for me to do the same thing, honestly.

Motivation to keep working,  to get comfortable, and to keep doing my thing and hopefully make my dreams into reality.

I work hard every day. I train hard every day. To be compared to players like that, is an awesome, awesome thing for sure.

Joe:  I’ve seen some of your home runs and you sure know how to put a hurting on a baseball. I don’t know if you remember that first home run you hit for Syracuse, but oh my God, the exit velocity was off the charts. Launch angles and exit velocities… Are those metrics a focus for you? Are you a numbers guy?

Mark: Honestly, all I want to do is put a good swing on the ball. I think I’m strong enough to where if I put a good swing on the ball it’s going to be a home run. You can feel it.  So like, that’my mentality… Put a good swing on a pitch, hit it hard, and it’s gonna go.

Joe: What do you like to do before a game?

Mark: I’d probably get some breakfast and some coffee. Then I start my routines, stretching and mobility. Get ready for practice and enjoy the day.

Joe: What’s the best movie you’ve recently seen?

Mark: I haven’t really seen any movies recently that I can say were great. But one of my favorite movies of all time was “The Wolf of Wall Street ” I really enjoyed that.

Joe: Who’s your favorite band or recording artist?

Mark: Drake! Drizzy Drake!

Joe:  Is a hot dog a sandwich?

Mark: For sure.

Joe: Favorite pizza toppings?

Mark: Barbecue chicken and pepperoni.

Joe: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

Mark: I’ll give you a baseball related one. I playing my very first game in the outfield and the first pitch of the game was hit right to me. I slipped while trying to catch it and fell on my butt. I quickly got up and threw the ball to the pitcher’s mound and missed the cutoff man.

Joe: Hahaha I  would’ve loved to see that. Well Mark, it’s been an absolute pleasure talking to you. It’s been an even bigger pleasure following you these last few years. I’m really impressed with your power, your attitude, and the way you play the game. You really are a total pro, and I’m looking forward to seeing you make your debut at Citi Field sooner rather than later. I hope you have a great day and a great offseason.

Mark: I wish the same for you as well. This was a lot of fun. Thank you.

Joe: My pleasure. See you at The Show.

Follow Mark on Twitter, @MarkVientos_5