Mark Vientos went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double in the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the Guardians on Tuesday night, raising his season batting average to an impressive .360 with an OPS of 1.127 in a small sample size of 25 at-bats.
Vientos, recently called up from Triple-A, struggled at the plate in the majors last season, but Boomer would rather see the 24-year-old get more looks in the lineup than the struggling Brett Baty.
“I think we need to leave Vientos at third base. Let him play,” Boomer said. “Give him a month. Baty is not the answer.”
Baty’s struggles could be forcing the Mets’ hand, as he is hitting just .228 with a .611 OPS in 136 at-bats. Boomer was hopeful when it came to Baty’s career, and perhaps he will eventually turn things around. But right now, he wants to get a closer look at Vientos.
“I feel bad for that kid,” Boomer said. “Because I thought maybe - we all thought - but it’s just nothing right now.”