Eduardo Escobar spoke at spring training Friday about part of the future of the Mets being in the hands of Brett Baty and Mark Vientos.
The third baseman spoke highly of his younger teammates, saying it was important for him to be there to show them the ropes.
"I love these kids. ... For me, teaching Baty and Vientos is the most important part of my career," Escobar said.
Baty got a taste of the majors last season at third base when Escobar suffered an oblique injury back in mid-August. Appearing in 11 games for the Mets, Baty had five RBI and two home runs before injuring his thumb.
Now, at spring training, Baty has a chance to prove himself again for a coveted roster spot.
As Escobar enters the final year of his two-year, $20 million contract, with a club option in 2024, his future could be uncertain. Baty might have a chance to make an impact for the Mets this year, including at third base.
Another spot in question for the Mets is DH, and they could look to young talent in Vientos at some point this season, as SNY’s Andy Martino recently reported.
The third baseman/designated hitter had an impressive minor league season for Syracuse in 2022, garnering attention from the Mets for a call-up in early September, with the hope of waking a slumbering offense.
With the DH spot uncertain this year with Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf returning, along with free agent signing Tommy Pham, Vientos may get another shot to show what he has in the majors.
While neither Baty nor Vientos were able to make a huge contribution in 2022, both have arrived early at spring training to get extra work in and hopefully be a crucial part of the Mets' offense this season.