Each year at 213 we look through the Non-Roster Invitees to spring training and get to know them a bit. Are they in camp to get a look at big league hitting/pitching to aid their development? Are the Mets just trying to get a better look at a future rookie? Are they a veteran trying to get back to the major league level? What can we expect from them this season?
It’s another prospect day in this series! Mark Vientos!
Mark Vientos is ranked differently in the Mets system depending on where you look. He’s generally considered a top ten prospect, generally in the middle range of those lists. MLB.com for example has him ranked #7. The 21 year old was drafted in 2017 in the second round and plays third. MLB gave him the following grades:
- Hit 45
- Power 60
- Run 40
- Arm 60
- Field 50
- Overall 50
The appeal of Vientos has always been his power. In his first year in the minors, 2017, he played in the Gulf Coast League and for the Kingsport Mets being 2.5 years and 3.3 years younger than the average player (identical to Ronny Mauricio the following year) and during that time he hit .262/.318/.398/.715. The following year he spent the whole year in Kingsport and hit a .287/.389/.489/.878 earning a promotion the following year to full season ball in Columbia. With the fireflies, he was still 2.5 years younger than the average player and hit .255/.300/.411/.711.
There’s now another issue to consider with Vientos, which might not be an issue by the times this article posts (article written on 2/20). Vientos tracks right now as a third baseman, his power would need to jump a lot to move over to first. Mauricio is a short stop but might have to move over to third base if the Mets sign Lindor to a long term deal, which the Mets absolutely need to do. This is why Vientos could be a trade target at some point (or Mauricio). Vientos made it through the BVW era, which is amazing. But now there are some interesting long term road blocks for him in his development.
I’m looking forward to seeing him this Spring and then for his second year of full season minor league ball!
