Mark Vientos's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The New York Mets optioned designated hitter Mark Vientos to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and also told first baseman Ji Man Choi that he won't be on the team's Opening Day roster. It's a mild surprise after it was announced on Saturday that the newly signed J.D. Martinez would be starting the year on the farm to get his bat up to speed after just signing with the Mets several days ago. It pretty much kills any fantasy value the 24-year-old Vientos might have had in NL-only leagues to start the year. While Vientos won't begin the year in the big leagues, he'll almost certainly be up with the Mets at some point in 2024 once injuries hit. He was destroying Triple-A pitching in 2023 to earn a big-league call-up, but he hit just .211 (46-for-218) with nine homers and 22 RBI for the Mets in 65 games.

New York Mets corner infielder Mark Vientos went 2-for-4 with two runs and a three-run homer in Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup versus the Miami Marlins. Vientos now has four homers this spring with six RBI, but is hitting just .200 in 45 at-bats. The 24-year-old won't be beating out Pete Alonso for the first base gig, but his power may be enough to have him platoon with Brett Baty at third base and have regular at-bats as a designated hitter. The power has always been there for Vientos and he hit nine homers with 22 RBI in 218 big-league at-bats in 2023, but his .211 batting average was a big weakness. He is only an option in the deepest of leagues for now.

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that third baseman/designated hitter Mark Vientos is currently in the competition for time at designated hitter this season. DJ Stewart was also listed as an in-house option for routine time at the position, although Stearns mentioned that it is not out of the question for the Mets to fill the position through an addition. The 24-year-old had a lackluster rookie season, slashing .211/.253/.367 with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 233 plate appearances while dealing with left wrist tendonitis. While Vientos can play third base, it sounds as though he will need to earn himself playing time with his bat. He did carry some prospect pedigree, so fantasy managers may want to keep an eye on his performance throughout spring.