As Brett Baty continues to seem like a productive major leaguer, general manager Billy Eppler was asked about two other prospects who’re knocking on the door to get to Queens.
Eppler said Mark Vientos was on the team’s “radar,” with Carlos Beltran, serving as a special assistant to Eppler, scheduled to check out the infielder at Triple-A Syracuse this weekend.
“It’s something that’s definitely on our radar and something we’re enthusiastic about,” Eppler said of the potential of moving Vientos to the majors. “I’m just waiting for the feedback from the [scouting] group as they undergo Syracuse.”
Vientos has an OPS of 1.148 with nine doubles and nine homers in 27 games with Syracuse.
But Eppler added they don’t want to advertise Vientos — or anyone else — after which not have him play repeatedly, what Eppler called the “calculus” of when to maneuver a player to the majors.
“How much are you able to play the guy?” Eppler said. “What type of roles would you’ve for him at the most important league level? And also you’re attempting to balance that with some lost development opportunity in the event that they’re not gonna play all that much.”
With Pete Alonso at first base and Baty, who went 1-for-2 within the Mets’ 1-0 win over the Rockies at third after getting more playing time over Eduardo Escobar, Vientos could potentially fill a DH spot.
Eppler acknowledged they would love to get more power from Daniel Vogelbach, but liked his ability to get on base.
The team’s other top offensive prospect, Ronny Mauricio, has moved from shortstop to second base, since Francisco Lindor is cemented at short and Jeff McNeil could potentially move from second base to left field.
Eppler said Miguel Cairo, the team’s minor league infield coordinator, has been impressed with Mauricio’s play because the switch, but they wish to be sure that not to present Mauricio an excessive amount of to handle defensively and have that impact him on the plate, where the 22-year-old did well in spring training and up to now this season at Syracuse.
“While you bring a player up, you wish them to have success,’’ Eppler said. “You need to keep away from bringing a man up too early and having to send them back down.”
Carlos Carrasco (right elbow inflammation) remains to be under the weather and Buck Showalter said he could have his rehab start moved from Saturday to Sunday and the team doesn’t have a starter yet for Sunday’s game against Colorado after Joey Lucchesi threw 46 pitches in his abbreviated start in Detroit on Wednesday.
Showalter said the team would do some tests to see how well the left-hander had recovered to see if he could take the mound on short rest Sunday.
The team is hopeful Brooks Raley (left elbow inflammation) will have the opportunity to return off the IL when he’s eligible on May 13.
The left-hander is scheduled to pitch a simulated game Wednesday.
The bullpen can be without Edwin Diaz for the foreseeable future after the closer tore a patellar tendon through the WBC in March, but Showalter and Eppler have liked what they’ve seen from the remaining of the pen.
“We’re not ever going to be at the extent that Edwin allowed us to be at at times last yr,’’ Showalter said. “Everybody desires to give attention to what you don’t have but I feel concerning the job that [David Robertson] has done for us because the season began and where we’d be without him.
Diaz was presented together with his Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the 12 months award by pitching coach Jeremy Hefner before Friday’s game.
Diaz finished last season with 32 saves and led all relievers with 118 strikeouts.
The Mets will host Mental Health Awareness Day on Saturday to assist bring attention to the importance of mental health and wellness, while providing information and resources throughout the sport.
Former Met Bill Pulsipher will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Pulsipher has spoken publicly about his battle with anxiety and depression.
— Additional reporting by Ryan Dunleavy