Meet the Brett.
Mets fans got a small glimpse of their future in 2022 when third baseman Brett Baty donned the orange and blue for the first time. They could be seeing a whole lot more of him in 2023.
On April 16, the Mets recalled Baty amid his white-hot start at Triple-A Syracuse, in hopes that he will spark their scuffling offense. Baty's MLB debut last year didn't go as planned: he hit .184 in 11 games before a right thumb injury cost him the rest of the season.
The Mets had another small scare in early April when Baty's surgically repaired thumb forced him out of a game with Syracuse. He would recover well and then go on a tear, leading to his call-up.
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Step right up and greet the Brett. Here's what you need to know about the Mets' next great third base hope:
Who is Brett Baty?
Baty, 23 (born Nov. 13, 1999), is one of the top prospects in the Mets' system and one of the top prospects in all of baseball. According to MLB Pipeline, Baty is ranked No. 19 overall and No. 1 at third base.
The native of Round Rock, Texas, was selected by the Mets in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft (12th overall). He originally committed to play baseball at the University of Texas but signed with the Mets instead.
Baty was named the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year in 2018, batting .435 (37 for 85) with 12 home runs, 27 RBIs, 43 runs scored and a 1.575 OPS (.953 slugging, .622 OBP).
At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Baty has drawn comparisons to Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman for his frame and playing style.
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Brett Baty scouting report
Baty, a left-handed batter, is considered to have equal parts power and contact in his offensive game. He was considered one of the best overall hitters in the 2019 draft despite being a high school pick at 19.
Some reports have Baty's power at a 70 grade (80 is highest on the grading scale), while others are more bearish at around 60.
Baty can play both third base and left field, but his ceiling is higher at the hot corner. He isn't expected to be a plus defender at the next level, though he won't be a detriment, either.
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Brett Baty stats
In 1,075 minor league plate appearances across rookie ball, low Single-A, high Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A, Baty slashed .293/.394/.508 with 43 home runs and 164 RBIs.
Part of the reason for Baty's call-up is his electric start at Syracuse. Through 42 plate appearances there this year, Baty mashed five home runs and drove in 15 runs, hitting .400 in that span. Another part is the poor start by New York's Opening Day third baseman, Eduardo Escobar (.402 OPS in 53 PAs).
In 2022, Baty slashed .184/.244/.342 with the Mets and notably hit a home run in his first at-bat for the team.
Metropolitan fans are hoping there's a lot more where that came from.