After overseeing a period of great change at the trade deadline for the Mets’ organization, general manager Billy Eppler explained what happened leading up to the deadline, Brett Baty’s demotion to Triple-A and why one prospect has yet to earn his big league debut.
Speaking to Joel Sherman on "The Show” podcast, Eppler said that the best way forward for the team’s former top prospect is at Triple-A Syracuse, but “we believe in Brett’s ability, and that view has not changed.”
In 86 games with the Mets this year, the young third baseman struggled with his hitting (batting .216 with a .620 OPS) and his fielding (committing nine errors).
Eppler said Syracuse is where Baty can “feel a little bit more freedom to try things, to try things in the batter’s box, to try things defensively and maybe hunt pitches or get in certain situations where maybe he’s looking to ambush a pitch and get out in front and get it airborne.”
“And on the defensive side give him the freedom to play loose play free. Throw from multiple arm slots and just take some chances,” he continued. “Brett cares a lot and I think sometimes that desire and that drive, I mean he’s a son of a coach. And so he’s got a very big team mindset and I think with some maybe more seasoned pitchers on the mound you get yourself into a situation where you’re trying to not make a mistake instead of trying to just like play with your hair on fire, play loose and take some chances and let’s see what happens.”
The GM called the demotion “like a timeout that was important at this time” and would allow the 23-year-old to set some objectives at the plate and in the field that are “measurable and achievable” and “hopefully he’s not down long, but a lot of that’s up to him.”
“He’s got a really good head on his shoulders,” Eppler said, adding he had spoken to Batty before the interview and was going to speak to him again after because he wanted to “make sure we stay invested there because Brett’s a big part of our future.”
On the flip side, one of the last few top prospects for the organization who are close to major league ready but have not been called up is Ronny Mauricio, who has posted a .287 batting average and .819 OPS in 98 games at Syracuse this season.
Eppler said the club will take things slow, but left the door open for the 22-year-old to make his MLB debut this season.
“There’s just still some things we want to see, both on the offensive side and defensive side with him,” the GM said.
“I don’t want to put somebody in a position with all the lights, all of the focus and everything on them unless they’re banging the door down,” Eppler added. “...He’s a young, talented thoroughbred. But we also want to just be mindful of the stage here and the gravity and the responsibility that kinda comes with that.
“And remain open-minded to adding him in the future, but still just need to see more of the objectives or boxes checked before we go down that path.”