The Future of the Mets Lies in an Unexpected Player
The Mets have been making their return to offensive glory with a series sweep against the Phillies and a 19-run game against the Marlins. After a slump that extended through multiple series and included sweeping losses by other teams, the orange and blue have finally put together the pieces to get their offense swinging. Players such as Nolan McLean have added tenfold to pitchers’ reliability, strengthening the team's performance. Meanwhile, there have always been individuals quietly demonstrating their commitment to this team.
Of all the Baby Mets, Brett Baty and Luis Torrens have gotten their flowers from fans and the media. Torrens returned from Triple-A with something to prove and a major improvement in his offense. Baty has been having a rip-roaring season. Last week, veteran player Brandon Nimmo told all of Citi Field, “he’s going to be here a long time. You guys get used to that name. Brett Baty.” All I’m asking is: What about Mark Vientos?
Mark Vientos grew up in Norfolk, Connecticut, rooting for the Mets. The team is a part of his DNA, with pictures of young Vientos in uniform while playing on the field. You have to remember that being a Met is a dream from his childhood. Sure, he’s getting the chance to live it out every night, but when you get such a huge opportunity, losing it can be a scary thing.
Like any born-and-raised Mets fan, Mark Vientos grew up with a commitment to the team despite its slumps and rough patches. That’s how fans should have been looking at Mark Vientos. Last season, Vientos was one of our hot players, unleashing a ton of potential and smashing the ball. In 2024, across the regular season and postseason, he had 32 home runs across the board.
While last season, Mark Vientos was a breakout player, the 2025 version of him has been playing differently. He wasn’t a player anyone expected to fall short of fan expectations, but he came to the plate with a shaky exterior and a loss of confidence. Maybe it was the fear of falling short of expectations? Maybe it was the idea that his place on the team wasn’t solid, with the trade deadline looming over all of the players' heads.
The trade deadline had players putting it all out on the field. Every time that Mark Vientos came up to the plate, you could see that he was intensely inside his head, so terrified that it would be him on the trading block. That baby Vientos, who had the chance to live out his biggest dream, was terrified to lose it. As trade talks continued, he played without the luster he once had. Once the trade deadline passed and Vientos had made it through, it was like fans could see him relax again.
Slowly but surely, Vientos settled into his role as a Met. Over the past 11 games, Vientos has gotten six homers. Against the Phillies, he had a two-run homer, which brought the Mets to a 6-0 lead. He’s creeping up in statistics, taking his time with the ball, and watching the field more strategically. Now, he’s at 14 home runs for the regular season. I bet anything it has to do with the calm after the storm, once the Baby Mets all made it through the season without being traded for the Bullpen. Mark Vientos realized he wasn’t indispensable; he was a part of this team.
Baseball can be a difficult sport to watch and an even harder one to play. It requires calmness, a sense of self, and heart. Mark Vientos has the dedication to the team, and now the team has proven its dedication to his potential. The way I see it, Vientos was born a Met, and he should one day retire as one. I’m his own personal Brandon Nimmo, saying: get used to the name Mark Vientos.
