Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke ahead of Tuesday’s spring training game.
Here are the most important notes…
Brett Baty at second base, with shortstop possibly next
Mendoza said around the beginning of camp that Baty would eventually get time at second base. That time has come.
Baty, who got some serious burn at second last year for Triple-A Syracuse, is starting there on Tuesday against the Cardinals.
“I think it’s putting him in a position where he’s comfortable,” Mendoza said. “That’s why it took 10 days before we put him at second base. Now that he’s got going offensively, felt like it was time for him to get a game at second base here in big league camp — see what he looks like. And there’s gonna be some teaching opportunities — you want to take advantage of those, too.”
While Baty is getting his first taste of second on Tuesday, shortstop could be next.
He’s been taking grounders at the position, and it’s possible he’ll see game action there this spring.
“As far as shortstop goes, we’ll see,” Mendoza said. “If we have to put him on a back field. If we feel comfortable enough and he feels comfortable enough to have a game here on the big league team, we’ll go that route.”
Baty, a natural third baseman, was also working at out first base before the Mets re-signed Alonso. Additionally, he has limited outfield experience in the minors — having played left field 30 times.
If Baty is able to handle shortstop in an emergency, he could be in good shape to win a job on the bench since the expectation is that Francisco Lindor will start and finish pretty much every game at short.
Would there be enough big league at-bats for Luisangel Acuña?
As Baty dabbles at second base on Tuesday, Acuña will get the start at third base — a position he’s never played in the minors or big leagues.
Like Baty, Acuña is versatile, with the ability to play shortstop, second base, and outfield.
Also like Baty, Acuña is battling for a spot on the roster.
And Mendoza was asked on Tuesday whether there would be enough at-bats to go around for Acuña if he made the team in a reserve role.
“It’ll play itself out as usual. We got guys that take a lot of pride on playing every day,” Mendoza explained. “You have to be smart with some of them, and we’ll find a way to get at-bats if we need to — when we have to make those decisions.”
Mendoza added: “There’s always ways to get at-bats for them, and to make those decisions.”
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns noted earlier this spring that Acuña was still very much an unfinished product offensively, so it’s fair to wonder if the club feels he’s better off playing nearly every day in the minors instead of sporadically in the majors.
Max Kranick is impressing
As the Mets’ bullpen plan comes into focus, it’s seeming increasingly likely that Kranick will be a part of it.
The 27-year-old, who has been dominant this spring as he adjust to a relief role, has impressed Mendoza.
“The way Kranick is throwing the baseball. Man, he’s putting himself in a really good position because we know he’s gonna help us,” Mendoza said. “This is a guy that went through a lot the past couple of years because of injury, whether it was the Tommy John and then last year he went down early with a hamstring. And then went back down to Triple-A as a starter. But then once we put him in the bullpen, the velo went up. And that’s what we’re seeing so far. He’s on the attack.
“Fastball’s got life, the slider, sweeper is really, really good. That’s a guy that’s versatile as far as giving you multiple innings. That’s another guy that’s stood out so far.”
During his latest outing on Monday against the Marlins, Kranick retired all four batters he faced — including three via the strikeout.
His fastball reached 97 mph and his stuff was overpowering at times.
Kranick hasn’t allowed a run over 5.1 innings (three appearances) this spring. He has struck out six and has a 0.56 WHIP.
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