Why an AL scout expects Mets to start playing top rookies more
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The last time the Mets faced the Yankees in the Subway Series, rookies Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos were all in the lineup and Ronny Mauricio was hitting well at Triple-A Syracuse, still looking for a path to the majors.
That’s still the case, with the Mets set to visit The Bronx on Tuesday.
While Alvarez has emerged as a consistent threat at the plate and a trusted presence behind it, Baty remains inconsistent on both sides of the ball and Vientos has yet to find a steady role on the roster.
With the Mets’ playoff hopes all but completely dashed, the final two months of the regular season could provide the organization with more clarity regarding the Baby Mets who had, at one point in the season, seemed capable of saving it.
“I think they know they have something reliable — and probably more — in Alvarez,’’ one AL scout said. “And I think we have the same questions about consistency on both sides of the ball for Baty and Vientos. I’m not sure the next two months will change anything, but I’d want to get some more answers on them — and probably Mauricio — before the offseason, because they’re gonna have a lot of work to do [with the roster].”
Vientos played in all three games in the Boston series after playing sparingly in his previous call-up to the Mets.
Starling Marte is eligible to come off the injured list Tuesday after dealing with a migraine issue.
It’s the latest in a series of misfortunes the outfielder has suffered since the end of last season, when he had core muscle surgery in November.
“Maybe this will serve as some kind of reset for him, because he hasn’t looked right all year, which is no secret,’’ the AL scout said.
Marte’s season got off to a fine start, even with the offseason procedure.
But on April 9, he slid headfirst into Jean Segura’s knee while trying to steal third against the Marlins.
Since then, Marte has a .613 OPS, which would be by far the worst of his career.
Another outfielder battling an injury, Tommy Pham, left Thursday’s game after feeling discomfort in his right groin.
It was the same injury that sidelined him prior to the All-Star break, but Pham returned as a pinch hitter for Omar Narvaez on Sunday, although he said he could have started in the outfield.
According to the Mets’ transaction page, right-hander Elieser Hernandez was recalled from Syracuse on Monday.
The 28-year-old last pitched in the majors last season for the Marlins, with a 6.35 ERA and a WHIP of 1.428 in 20 appearances, including 10 starts.
He was acquired from Miami in November, along with Jeff Brigham, in a trade that sent a pair of minor leaguers — outfielder Jake Mangum and pitcher Franklin Sanchez — to the Marlins.
Hernandez has been sidelined with shoulder and side injuries this season and made two rehab appearances with Syracuse.
Pete Alonso is 5-for-12 over his past three games, with three extra-base hits, but he hasn’t homered in a season-high 11 straight games.
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