Eduardo Escobar is in Port St. Lucie getting early work before spring training, as are hyped Mets prospects Brett Baty and Mark Vientos.
Baty and Vientos could wind up competing to become the franchise’s new third base cornerstone, which of course would bump Escobar out of a starting role if it were to happen before Escobar’s Mets tenure comes to an end.
But for Escobar, helping mentor the youngsters is a privilege he is not taking lightly.
“I love these kids,” Escobar said, via SNY. “Baty and Vientos have a big future here in this organization. I remember when I was a kid, the veteran players, all the time they’d speak to me to respect the game and work hard every day, and for me, what a great opportunity. For me, teaching Baty and Vientos is the most important part of my career.
“Vientos and Baty have a big, big future…so happy to see these kids working early this year.”
Both Vientos and Baty saw brief time in the majors last season, and will look to prove themselves this spring as ready for consistent big-league at-bats. Baty is currently the second ranked prospect in the Mets system, and Vientos is seventh, and with the Carlos Correa deal falling through, the long-term third base spot is there for the taking. Both are preparing to make their push to seize the opportunity.
As for Escobar, who is in the final year of his two-year, $20 million deal, he is looking forward to another year in New York, one that ended on a high note by being named the National League Player of the Month in September.
“I’m so happy I’ll be in a Mets uniform again this year,” Escobar said. “I love being a Met.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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