Mark Vientos Continues Improvements At Plate Against Reds

As Mark Vientos continues to progress through a challenging 2023 season with the Mets, he may very well emerge as a hidden gem among the team’s pool of prospects. He had a solid afternoon at the plate, contributing significantly to the Mets’ 8-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in front of a crowd of 38,044 at Citi Field on the final game of a weekend series.

Vientos made solid contact with three pitches, but what truly caught the eye was his newfound discipline. In the fifth inning, with two runners on base and the Mets holding a narrow lead, he faced the challenge of right-handed pitcher Carson Spiers, which was particularly notable for the right-handed hitting Vientos.

The first two pitches, both sinkers, seemed poised to become his 58th strikeout in his 186th plate appearance, accounting for nearly one-third of his appearances. However, Vientos wisely refrained from swinging at an inside fastball.

He exhibited patience as he watched Spiers’ slider and then a sinker that failed to find the strike zone, taking the count to 3-2. In the end, Vientos made solid contact with a cutter, driving it straight up the middle for an RBI single. This pivotal hit not only secured a valuable insurance run for the Mets but also further reinforced the argument for granting him more playing time.

Third knock of the day for @MarkVientos_5! ???? pic.twitter.com/BP5kstFDvC

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 17, 2023

Since his return to the team, Vientos has approached every at-bat with a sense of purpose and gratitude. His consistent playing time, which began when the Mets fell out of playoff contention and initiated a roster shakeup at the trade deadline, is well-deserved, given his recent performance at the plate.

Vientos has showcased his mastery of Triple-A pitching, highlighted by a remarkable .999 OPS and a staggering 16 home runs in just 61 games with Syracuse this season. Furthermore, promising signs suggest that he is adapting to the challenges posed by major league pitching.

In his initial foray into the major leagues, Vientos encountered difficulties in finding his groove. Despite consistently making solid contact, his performance failed to align with his usual standards, resulting in a .178 batting average with only eight hits, one home run, and 14 strikeouts over 45 at-bats.

Frustration mounted as his lackluster results persisted, leading the young power hitter to be demoted back to Syracuse. Nevertheless, Vientos wasted no time in rediscovering his form and gradually earned his way back to the big leagues.

“I’ve improved a lot,” Vientos said, “I’m playing consistently at the highest level, and I’m learning from the best of the best around me every single day. I feel like I’ve improved drastically over the course of the season and once I’ve been here.”

Every one of Vientos’s hits on Sunday came off the bat with considerable force, registering exit velocities of 104.1 mph, 105.2 mph, and 100.4 mph, all resulting in singles. Before this game, Vientos maintained an average exit velocity of 93.3 mph, securing him the 11th spot among hitters with at least 100 plate appearances.

Over the course of his last 15 games with the Mets, Vientos contributed significantly with nine runs scored and 15 hits, including three home runs and a triple. Additionally, he contributed six runs batted in and an OPS of .824. Despite 17 strikeouts, Vientos notched a batting average of .283, supported by a .333 on-base percentage an a slugging percentage of .491.

Despite the Mets’ dwindling postseason prospects as the season approaches its conclusion, it remains heartening to witness the younger generation of players seizing their opportunities. If Vientos can continue his impressive form and finish the season on a high note, he may well offer much-needed clarity to the Mets regarding their designated hitter situation for the upcoming year.

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