Mets excuse for not calling up Brett Baty isn’t good enough

The Mets chose not to call up third baseman Brett Baty for the 2023-24 season in a decision that continues to bite the club in the rear.

New York Mets top prospect Brett Baty was sent to the minors even after an impressive Spring Training, and many are still scratching their heads wondering why.

The 23-year-old hit .325 with six RBIs in 40 at-bats this spring and played in a handful of games for the Mets last year. Baty entered 2023 as one of the most promising hitters in the starting lineup but ultimately lost the spot to Eduardo Escobar.

Fast forward a few weeks later, and Baty is hitting homers while Escobar is trudging through mud: Baty is 6-for-15 with two home runs and five RBIs through four games for Syracuse. Escobar is a measly 2-for-20.

Baty’s hitting prowess was apparently no issue of concern to the Mets’ brass. Instead, the Mets seem to want Baty to improve on the defensive side and get more reps in Triple-A (he’s only played 10 career games).

Mets claim Brett Baty’s defense, lack of experience doesn’t make him starting roster material

Baty just came off a scary thumb injury that turned out to be nothing serious. He exited a Triple-A game on Tuesday after hurting his thumb — the same one he had surgery on last season — but imaging revealed no structural damage, and Baty is currently listed day to day.

His moderately optimistic injury report suggests he could still be called up by the Mets early this season, as Baty has been performing well on both offense and defense for Syracuse.

He’s looked more than adequate with the glove so far, so what’s the holdup?

The Mets likely don’t want to bench Escobar just yet, even if the team is slugging just .295 through six games.

Their latest losses to the Milwaukee Brewers, a club with a payroll $200 million less than New York, reeks of shame and disappointment. Out of sheer hubris and a little blind faith in Escobar, the Mets may not want to admit their mistake so early in the season; that being said, it wouldn’t be surprising if Baty was called up in the next few weeks if New York’s production doesn’t get better.

As for the Mets’ worries about Baty’s defense?

During Spring Training, Baty said this about his improved play at the hot corner:

"“Being able to see that from the side and just really see that distance, it clicked for me. I was able to slow everything down….I’ve always felt like I could get to all the balls.”"

Given how Baty has progressed these last few months, it’s not a matter of whether the Mets’ third baseman of the future will get his chance to shine in the major leagues, it’s a matter of when.