Brett Baty Gets More Reps In AFL

Third baseman Brett Baty’s first full season in the Mets’ system included two significant showcases.

First, there was an invitation to the Futures game at Coors Field in July. Then, after concluding his season at Double-A Binghamton, the 22-year-old was sent to the Arizona Fall League.

“Baty is just getting comfortable in professional baseball, this is really his first year,” said Mets farm director Jeremy Barnes, who wanted Baty to play in the AFL “just to continue to get these at-bats and gain this experience and learn himself.

“But mechanically at the plate, he is just trying to continue to work on his path and maintain his posture. And he’s learning how people are going to pitch him. He’s a very smart kid, understands the chess match, so I think the more reps he gets under his belt he’s going to flourish.”

The Mets drafted Baty 12th overall in 2019 out of Lake Travis High in Austin, Texas. He popped seven homers in 51 games in his pro debut, then spent most of 2020 at the Mets’ alternate training site in Brooklyn.

Baty split this season between High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton, batting .292/.382/.473 with 12 home runs and 22 doubles in 91 games.

Barnes noted that Baty’s baserunning and athleticism at third base have stood out, but the Mets still need to see steady defensive improvement from him.

“His first-step quickness is something that has been a priority, making sure that he can handle the ball to his left,” Barnes said. “On defense, it’s about being consistent and making the routine plays. He’s very athletic, but it’s just getting out there and getting reps. He just needs time out there.

“He’s just so young, and from a game standpoint even younger than his age may present because of the Covid season. Just getting that under his belt and learning who he is and how to bring his ‘A’ game to the park every day.”