PORT ST. LUCIE — David Wright is an interested observer as to how the Mets’ two young third basemen might respond to last season’s rookie struggles.
The former Mets captain and third baseman arrived Tuesday for a two-day spring training stay that includes promotional activities for the club and said he was ready to speak with Brett Baty and Mark Vientos if we asked him.
But Wright also doesn’t want to be a distraction during his short visit.
Mets legend David Wright said he thinks the big league experience Brett Baty and Mark Vientos had last season will help both players. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
Baty and Vientos are competing for the third base job in camp after battling last season and bouncing between the Mets and Triple-A Syracuse.
“I saw them both [Tuesday] and it’s hard to tell what someone looks like,” Wright said at Clover Park. “But with the drills and their body language, I think they’re a little more comfortable, just having a taste of what it’s like in the big leagues.
“In some ways, last year was tough for these kids, but I think it’s going to help them in the long run, because in order to grow, you have to understand what failure looks like and how to bounce back from that failure to succeed. »
Wright said David Stearns spoke to him shortly after he took over as the team’s president of baseball operations last offseason.
Wright said he was happy raising his three young children in Southern California and was not interested in a role with the organization.
Brett Baty, who is competing with Mark Vientos for the Mets’ third base job, laughs during Mets spring training Monday. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
Wright also said he introduced himself to manager Carlos Mendoza. But Wright will not impose himself in the Mets clubhouse.
“If they want to sit down and talk, feel free,” Wright said, referring specifically to Baty and Vientos. “I don’t think I can help them much on the field or in their swing, but between the ears, facing New York, facing the ups and downs, the successes and the failures, I think I can be beneficial with that. .”
As for the Mets’ chances of making the playoffs this season, Wright is encouraged by the team’s depth.
“You might not have the marquee names that you had at the top of the rotation last year,” Wright said. “But when you play 162 games and you have injuries all over baseball now, that depth is going to be pretty significant by the middle of the summer.”
Mark Vientos flashed a peace sign a few days ago during Mets spring training. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
DJ Stewart will receive reps at first base this spring, according to Mendoza, in an effort to increase his versatility.
Stewart played right field, left field and DH last season, but never appeared at first base in a major league game.
The Mets held a clinic for 75 Special Olympic athletes after Tuesday’s practice. Players and staff participated in the Champions Clinic, which has been held annually during spring training since 2015.
2024-02-21 08:22:25
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