Carlos Mendoza: Mark Vientos in Good Place Despite Quiet Spring

Let’s take a look at Mark Vientos‘ spring with the Mets. We’ll cover his Grapefruit League and World Baseball Classic moments, what his manager actually sees in the underlying numbers, and how last season’s results might shape his shot at a regular spot in New York.

Spring Struggles and the Mets’ Evaluation

Vientos hasn’t exactly started the spring on fire. He’s just 3-for-36 if you add up his Grapefruit League at-bats and his WBC time. He opened camp with a cold 0-for-12 stretch before finally poking an opposite-field double right before the WBC.

During the World Baseball Classic, he managed only 2-for-15 with six strikeouts over four games for Nicaragua. Since coming back to the Mets, the 26-year-old has gone 0-for-8 with a couple of strikeouts, including a hitless day against the Astros.

Even so, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza isn’t panicking. He’s looking more at the quality of Vientos’ contact than at the ugly box scores. Mendoza pointed out that Vientos has been hitting the ball hard—two batted balls over 100 mph in a single game, and a 105 mph rocket in another.

That’s something, right? “Vientos is in a good place offensively,” Mendoza said. He seems to believe that soft outs and unlucky line drives aren’t the whole story for a guy with this kind of raw power.

Context: Past Performance and Pivotal Spring

This spring’s numbers kind of echo a bigger trend for Vientos. He burst onto the scene with 27 homers and a strong playoff run, hinting at real middle-of-the-order potential.

But last year? The results didn’t quite live up to the hype. In 2025, Vientos hit .233 with 17 homers, a .289 on-base percentage, and a .702 OPS. There’s still this gap between what he could be and what he’s shown, and that’s the big question as the Mets try to figure out where he fits in a young, crowded lineup.

The competition for at-bats is heating up. The Mets want Vientos to turn those big exit velocities into actual hits and a steadier place on the team. The challenge is real, but the front office still believes the talent is there.

This spring is basically his audition. The message? Show the consistency that managers love once the games start to count.

What Needs to Happen for a Regular Role

Mindset, Confidence and Roadmap Ahead

Vientos hit a rough patch early in the season. Still, he’s kept calm and seems pretty confident about finding his way back.

Lately, he’s talked about earning at-bats and rebuilding his standing. That’s the kind of mindset you expect from someone who gets the difference between catching fire and actually developing as a player.

Mendoza’s comments make it clear—the Mets aren’t just focused on numbers. They’re watching how Vientos handles the process, not just the box score, and hoping spring gives a glimpse of the power and contact that made fans notice him in the first place.

As the Mets sort through a spring packed with evaluation, Mark Vientos still has to prove he can turn those hard-hit balls into steady production. If he manages to close that gap between what the metrics say and what actually happens on the field, his mix of power and a better approach could finally click.

The next stretch of spring is going to matter—a lot. Vientos needs to show enough to grab a regular spot and maybe set the stage for a season that could change things for both him and the Mets’ lineup.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Carlos Mendoza feels Mets’ Mark Vientos is in a ‘good place’ despite lack of spring results