Brett Baty. Photo by James Farrance

The New York Mets are finally pulling the trigger and calling up third baseman Brett Baty. This per Andy Martino of SNY. Baty was not in the lineup for Game 1 of Triple-A Syrcause’s doubleheader on Sunday, this is apparently why.

Baty has been scorching hot since the Triple-A season began. The 23-year-old owns a slash line of .400/.500/.886 which is good for a staggering 1.386 OPS. He has also hit five home runs and driven in 15 runs across 35 at-bats to begin the season.

His .400 average ranks fourth in the International League, while his OPS is the highest. Baty has also been scorching the ball, as his average exit velocity was the highest in Triple-A as of April 13.

Baty excelled in spring training as well, as he slashed .325/.460/.425 which was good for a .885 OPS. This performance over 40 at-bats looked like it may have been enough to keep him in New York to start the season. However, he was sent down to Syracuse (Triple-A) where he has dominated and is subsequently getting rewarded with a call up.

Eduardo Escobar‘s lackluster beginning to the season is well known. The veteran is now only batting .114 with a woeful .394 OPS. He has struck out 12 times compared to only three walks and only has one home run. With him struggling, and Baty thriving, this move makes all the sense in the world. Baty’s insertion into the lineup should provide a nice boost over what Escobar was giving the Mets early on.

Escobar even provided his thoughts on Baty’s impending arrival to New York, “He deserves everything he’s getting right now, now that he’s getting called up. He’s put in the work. He deserves to come up here and play and do what he does because he’s that good of a player. He’s the future of this team.”

For those curious, he is not slated to be in this afternoon’s starting lineup. Regardless, it is good to see Baty get the more than well-deserved call up. Despite it taking some time, good on general manager Billy Eppler and the Mets finally pulling the triggering and rewarding their slugging top prospect.

Baty is Metsmerized number two prospect in the Mets’ system.