How can Mets climate Alonso’s damage?

This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo’s Mets Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it recurrently in your inbox.

The Mets, already spiraling, are actually set to be with out their most efficient hitter for at the very least a big chunk of June. They’re going to don’t have any selection however to determine a solution to forge forward with out him.

That doesn’t imply discovering one other participant to bash homers at Alonso’s price — a moderately absurd 22 in 62 video games earlier than his IL stint. But it does imply receiving extra from Mark Vientos and Mark Canha, the 2 gamers more likely to obtain the majority of first-base reps in Alonso’s absence.

Vientos began at third base Thursday, however went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. After weeks of halting enjoying time since his Major League callup, Vientos now has a possibility to show he belongs within the Majors long-term.

“He’s played some first base,” supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned. “It’s not something he’s not familiar with. Just trying to get him out there. He’s gonna play today and tomorrow, obviously, and, hopefully, he can kind of get going and give us a little help offensively.”

According to Showalter, Canha is probably going the Mets’ greatest defensive first baseman after Alonso. But (two robust video games final week in opposition to the Phillies however) Canha has struggled on the plate all season, with a .712 OPS in 54 video games. Mets officers have additionally been cautious of utilizing Canha every single day since he signed with the crew earlier than final season.

That ought to end in loads of enjoying time for Vientos, who had 47 hits, 13 homers and 37 RBIs and slashed .333/.416/.688 earlier this 12 months at Triple-A Syracuse. A pure third baseman, Vientos began at first for Syracuse 43 instances and has performed the place sparingly within the Majors. Thursday was his first begin there.

More than defensive aptitude, nonetheless, the Mets want offensive pop. In restricted Major League motion, Vientos is 6-for-37 (.162) with one residence run, 4 RBIs and one stroll with 12 strikeouts, taking among the shine off the thrill surrounding his callup. Against righties, the place he had success within the Minors, his slash line is .167/.200/.292, whereas .154/.143/.154 in opposition to lefties.

Vientos is struggling on the plate, however the knowledge suggests he’s certain to bounce again. His anticipated batting common is .262, his anticipated slugging share is .491 and his precise slugging share is .243. The drastic bounce for his slugging comes from his skill to hit homers, but it surely hasn’t translated to this point this 12 months.

This is one more alternative for Vientos to carve a job within the Mets’ lineup whether or not or not Alonso is there — although the crew wants his hitting prowess. The Connecticut native simply has to grab the chance.