Brett Baty is making up for misplaced time.
The infielder, who has seen himself on the Syracuse shuttle every of the previous two seasons, received his third straight begin on Saturday and homered twice in a 6-5 loss to the Cubs at Citi Area.
It was his second consecutive night time with a house run and got here after Carlos Mendoza mentioned he gained’t drive Baty into the lineup, at the same time as he tries to get the infielder taking part in time following his current call-up from Triple-A Syracuse as a consequence of Jesse Winker’s stint on the injured listing.
However after Baty went deep twice — one a three-run shot to the pull aspect within the fourth and the opposite to the other discipline within the eighth — Mendoza made one factor clear: “He knows he belongs in the big leagues. He’s a really good big league player. He’s got the skills [and] the tools. We’ve seen it. … He has the confidence that he knows he belongs in the big leagues.”
And Baty additionally has the notice to grasp he might not keep in Queens as soon as Winker is wholesome once more if the Mets face one other roster crunch.
Requested about Mendoza’s remark that he “belongs” within the majors, Baty mentioned, “I don’t make those decisions.”
He additionally insisted he doesn’t concern himself with the place he’ll be sooner or later apart from when requested about it.
What Baty mentioned he’s targeted on as an alternative is his work, particularly on the plate.
Baty has labored extra off high-velocity machines within the cages in an effort to extra precisely simulate sport conditions.
“The past couple days I’ve challenged myself in the cages and that’s translated on the field,” Baty mentioned. “I make it harder in the cage so I can go out and have the best approach.”
Tylor Megill has additionally skilled bouncing backwards and forwards to the minors and mentioned he’s been impressed by what he’s seen from Baty.
“You can’t pout about it,’’ Megill said. “You take it like a man, do the work and don’t lose confidence. He knows he’ll be back up to help this team and he came back a completely different player. He’s helping us win games.”
Even earlier than he was despatched down final month, Mendoza mentioned Baty had proven enchancment.
“Before we sent him down, the last 10 games, there was confidence,’’ Mendoza said. “He was attacking pitches, using the whole field. Since he’s been back, it’s the same thing.”
Mendoza mentioned his precedence is retaining all the place gamers in a great spot, moderately than ensuring Baty will get common taking part in time.
However Baty is forcing his method into the lineup.
“I’m simply attempting to hit the ball laborious and have good at-bats,’’ Baty mentioned.
And the longer it’s with the Mets, the higher.
“I just try to be the best player I can be,’’ Baty said of potential roster moves. “I don’t make those decisions. … I want to play every single day.”
