Buck Showalter looking for methods to maintain Mets’ Mark Vientos concerned

Mark Vientos hasn’t been in a position to earn constant taking part in time or achieve a lot offensive traction throughout his two stays with the Mets this season, however supervisor Buck Showalter is trying to maintain the 23-year-old prospect concerned, on protection and on the plate.

Vientos began at third base Saturday evening over slumping Brett Baty within the Mets’ 11-6 loss to the Nationals at Citi Discipline, solely his fourth look on the scorching nook this season.

Vientos, who went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBI’s within the Mets’ loss, additionally has performed 4 video games at first base and 15 as a chosen hitter.

Outfielder Mark Canha began at first base and went 2-for-3, with Pete Alonso serving because the DH following his second two-homer recreation in 4 days Friday evening.

Alonso went 0-for-5.

“Mark, I need to maintain him concerned defensively. I virtually performed him at first right this moment, however I feel our greatest defensive alignment was the best way we went right this moment,” Showalter stated earlier than the sport. “Mark’s able to taking part in first base and Brett’s truly succesful. He has performed a variety of completely different locations. Not a complete lot not too long ago, however gotta maintain them within the circulate.

“I gotta maintain getting them reps. I feel selecting the spots with Brett, that is most likely greater than he’s performed repeatedly in a very long time.”

Vientos put up large numbers this season for Triple-A Syracuse with 16 house runs, 50 RBIs and a 1.000 OPS in 228 at-bats. However that hasn’t translated to the key league degree. He has only one homer and a .538 OPS in 68 plate appearances for the Mets.

Baty has performed extra ceaselessly, particularly since Eduardo Escobar was traded in June, however he started the day with 11 hits in 64 at-bats (.174) in July to drop his total OPS to .639 this season.

“I reminded some individuals final 12 months that a variety of these guys have by no means performed within the month of September. And it’s completely different. … Preserve that in thoughts and check out to have a look at it by way of their eyes,” Showalter stated. “However I need Mark to begin considering typically you’ll be able to mentally make a man suppose that he’s a DH. However Mark has improved [defensively].

“We’ve labored arduous with him and he’s labored arduous with our individuals within the minor leagues. [Minor-league infield coordinator] Miguel Cairo has been excellent, and [Syracuse manager] Dickie Scott was probably the greatest infielders I’ve ever had.”