The New York Mets are entering the 2026 season with high expectations for several key players, but one name drawing increasing attention is Brett Baty.
After showing real progress last season, the versatile infielder now appears poised to take another step forward — and perhaps deliver the breakout year the Mets have been waiting for.
Baty is coming off a solid 2025 campaign in which he slashed .254/.313/.435 with a .748 OPS and a 111 OPS+. Across 130 games, he also added 18 home runs, 50 RBIs, and produced 3.1 bWAR. Most importantly, he reclaimed the starting third base job from Mark Vientos and held onto it for the rest of the season.
That success has helped rebuild confidence around a player who once ranked among the top prospects in the Mets’ system.
A Changing Role in 2026
Mar 15, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) gets a base hit in the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
This season, however, Baty’s path to playing time looks different.
The arrivals of Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco have reshaped the Mets’ infield picture, meaning Baty will need to rely on his defensive flexibility to stay in the lineup.
Fortunately for both Baty and manager Carlos Mendoza, versatility has become one of his biggest strengths. While he is expected to open the year as the team’s designated hitter, Baty is also capable of playing third base, first base, second base, and even right field.
That flexibility gives the Mets multiple ways to keep his bat in the lineup.
Confidence Appears to Be Growing
According to scouts who watched Baty closely last season, one of the biggest differences in his performance was confidence.
After years of trying to adjust to major league pitching, Baty began to look more comfortable at the plate in 2025. That confidence seems to be carrying into spring training.
Through eight Grapefruit League games this spring, the 26-year-old has been one of the Mets’ most productive hitters. He’s slashing .381/.435/.619 with a 1.054 OPS, along with a home run and five RBIs. His eight hits in 21 at-bats rank among the team leaders during camp.
Multiple Paths Into the Lineup
Even though Bichette and Polanco have taken over the primary corner infield spots, Baty still has opportunities to earn regular playing time.
In fact, his defensive work at first base this spring has reportedly impressed the coaching staff — to the point where some observers believe he has looked more comfortable there than Polanco.
Meanwhile, Mark Vientos has struggled badly during camp. The slugger has managed just one hit in 22 Grapefruit League at-bats and also endured a difficult offensive stretch while representing Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic.
Those struggles make Baty the clear favorite to open the season as the Mets’ designated hitter.
A Long Road to This Point
Baty’s path to this moment hasn’t been smooth.
When he first arrived in the majors late in the 2022 season, expectations were enormous. At the time, he ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Mets’ farm system and was viewed as a potential cornerstone player.
But the early results were difficult.
In 2023, Baty struggled significantly, hitting just .212 with a .598 OPS and finishing the season with a -0.7 bWAR across 108 games. His performance eventually led to a demotion to Triple-A Syracuse.
The following season brought another setback when he lost the starting third base job to Vientos and spent much of the year back in the minors.
A Chance to Take the Next Step
Instead of letting those struggles define his career, Baty responded.
He returned in 2025 with renewed confidence, reclaimed the third base job, and delivered the most productive season of his young career.
Now, the Mets are hoping that progress continues.
With improved confidence, strong spring training results, and multiple defensive roles available, Baty appears positioned to play a major part in the team’s 2026 plans.
And if he continues trending upward, the long-anticipated breakout season may finally arrive.
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