Mark Vientos, Photo by Richard Nelson
New York Mets minor leaguers are off to a great start to the season. We have already seen Brett Baty force his way to the majors. His is far from the lone standout performance. In fact, here are the best performances among Mets minor leaguers over the first month of the season:
Position Player: Mark Vientos, 1B/3B
Level: Triple-A Syracuse
Stats: .367/.449/.733, 9 2B, 8 HR, 23 RBI
One of the things we used to know about Vientos was he got off to slow starts, and he would burst out in May. This year was unlike any other with Vientos destroying baseballs as soon as the season started.
Mark Vientos over his last 12 games:
19-for-40 (.475), 8 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI
8 BB, 6 strikeouts, 1.449 OPS@Metsmerized #Mets #LGM
— Mathew Brownstein (@MBrownstein89) April 30, 2023
His exit velocities have been well in excess of 100 MPH. He had the second highest slugging in all of the minors. He had 12 extra base hits over a 13 game stretch. More important than any of that, we’re seeing a hitter making adjustments to try to force his way to the majors.
Vientos has cut down his strikeout rate. It’s down to 22.4% after being at 28.6% last season. He did it without sacrificing power. In fact, his power has increased. The end result is a 194 wRC+ and player of the month honors.
Honorable Mention: Ronny Mauricio had a .974 OPS for Triple-A Syracuse, and Stanley Consuegra had a .931 OPS for High-A Brooklyn.
Mike Vasil, Photo by Ed Delany
Starting Pitcher: Mike Vasil, RHP
Level: Double-A Binghamton
Stats: 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 0.875 WHIP, 1.1 BB/9, 15.2 K/9
Vasil entered this season with some questions over his control. After posting a 2.00 K/BB last season, he is throwing strikes and dominating opposing batters. In fact, that 2.00 K/BB is now at a 13.50 K/BB.
Mike Vasil struck out one of the hottest hitters on the planet on 3 pitches.
The Mets right-hander finished the 2022 season in High-A Brooklyn.
Last pitch is a split-change he's been working on.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) March 23, 2023
The biggest “change” has been the inclusion of a split-change entering the season. With the new pitch, Vasil is now striking out an astounding 42.2% of batters he’s faced. In the three starts that have been over four innings, he has struck out at least seven batters. Overall, he’s taken a leap, and if he continues, there is a chance we could see him in the majors some time this season.
Honorable Mention: Dominic Hamel posted a 2.30 ERA for Double-A Binghamton. Jawilme Ramirez struck out 19 over 17 innings while posting a 2.65 ERA for Low-A St. Lucie.
Reliever: Nathan Lavender, LHP
Level: Double-A Binghamton
Stats: 0-0, 4 SV, 0.74 ERA, 0.774 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 16.5 K/9
Lavender has been the most dominant reliever in the Mets system despite not having classic over powering stuff. He has used the ability to locate and spin the ball to strike out 45.2% of the batters he has faced this season.
Nathan Lavender quickly closes out the 5-4 win for the @RumblePoniesBB 1-2-3 in the 9th with 2 Ks. He now has 10 Ks in 6.1 innings this year. #Mets #LGM #MetsTwitter @ernestdove @MiLBMetsMadness pic.twitter.com/BCudc5oEvR
— Mets News and Links (@JohnFromAlbany) April 22, 2023
While left-handed, Lavender is showing himself to be much more than a LOOGY. In fact, he’s better against right-handed batters. They’re hitting .125/.160/.167 off of him while left-handed batters hitting .167/.353/.167 against him. As you see, no one hits him well, and it is a big reason why he was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse less than two full years after he was drafted.
Honorable Mention: Grant Hartwig recorded four saves and had a 1.50 ERA for Triple-A Syracuse. Dylan Hall has yet to allow a run between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse over nine innings while striking out 10. Tyler Stuart has a 1.98 ERA for High-A Brooklyn. Zach Muckenhirn posted a 0.77 ERA for Triple-A Syracuse earning a promotion to the majors.
