ANAHEIM, Calif. — Brett Baty disappeared from the Mets’ scene two months ago, and with each big hit by his replacement at third base, he appears further in the rearview mirror.
But even with Mark Vientos’ success, the Mets haven’t forgotten about Baty, who is thriving in his first extended stretch playing at Triple-A.
The 24-year-old Baty entered Saturday with a .274/.373/.524 slash line with 11 homers and 34 RBIs in 43 games for Syracuse after beginning the season as the Mets’ starter at third base.
Baty’s work at Syracuse has included 17 games at second base, a position he never previously played.
“He has been playing well defensively and I think his production has been good,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “Really that is what he needs to keep doing right now and when there’s an opportunity, force his way into the lineup.”
Vientos isn’t providing an opening.
After losing the third base job to Baty in spring training, Vientos started producing immediately upon his return to the Mets in May — at a time the lineup was in need of a jolt — and has kept going.
Vientos, 24, entered play at Angel Stadium with a .284/.339/.555 slash line with 16 homers and 42 RBIs in 64 games for the Mets.
The Mets’ need at third base last season perhaps pushed Baty into a starting role before he was ready.
After a fast start for the club, Baty struggled and was optioned to Syracuse in August before rejoining the Mets in September, with the Mets still searching for a third base answer.
For this season, at least, it might not be so simple for Baty to return.
“[Vientos] has done a real nice job here, so Brett’s job is to continue to get better so that when the opportunity presents itself he will be able to take advantage of it,” Stearns said.
One possibility is Baty will be recalled to provide a left-handed bat off the bench in September, when rosters can expand to 28 players.
Within the minor leagues, Baty is still viewed as the organization’s best at initiating hard contact.
“He is hitting the ball hard — and as long as he keeps doing that I think he will be in a good spot,” Stearns said.
Baty, according to sources, was sought by other teams before the trade deadline.
The Marlins were a team that showed heavy interest, but the Mets were never close to trading the former first-round pick.
“I am not going to comment on any one specific player, but I will say there were a number of players we have that were discussed by other teams and that is certainly not unusual this time of year,” Stearns said.
Whether Baty has a future with the Mets should be clear by the time spring training begins next season.
Part of the equation figures to be whether the Mets re-sign impending free agent Pete Alonso over the winter and how the organization views the DH spot, where J.D. Martinez is also an impending free agent.
Vientos could slot full-time into first base or DH as needed, potentially giving Baty and Ronny Mauricio an opportunity to compete for third base.
Mauricio underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week to remove scar tissue (he tore his anterior cruciate ligament last winter and had it surgically repaired), but the Mets say he should be ready again soon.
Baty isn’t viewed as a full-time second base option, but the organization sees a value in increasing his versatility.
“He’s worked enough at it that if there was a need there we would be comfortable putting him there,” Stearns said.