The New York Mets called up top prospectBrett Baty on Wednesday to fill in at third base for ailing EduardoEscobar, putting the 22-year-old in the middle of a spirited race for the NL East title
He immediately made a difference.
Baty hit a home run in his first at-bat, a two-run shot in the second, which gave the Mets a four-run lead.
Baty's family had flown to Atlanta for his big league debut. He hit a home run.
The Baty family was in Atlanta to see @baty_brett's MLB debut. Their reaction to his HR says it all. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uw5EhrLpQL
— MLB (@MLB) August 17, 2022
Baty is the first Mets player since Mike Jacobs in 2005 to hit a home run in his first plate appearance.
Baty was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse a week before he was called up to the big league.
Baty said before the call-up that it wasn't something he was thinking about. I was thinking about Syracuse. It's about the New York Mets now that I'm here.
After working out on the field before batting practice, he was scratched from the lineup. Showalter said he didn't want to risk a long-term issue with the oblique injury. The way for Baty to join the club was cleared by the fact thatEscobar went on theIL retroactive to Tuesday.
Baty, the 12th overall pick in the draft, was hitting.315 with 19 homers and 60 runs scored for Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse.
Over his first two years in the minor league, his offensive numbers have improved.
Baty didn't put any expectations on himself. I will play to the best of my abilities. I'm here to explain something. I will do my best out there.
Showalter and Baty worked together in the spring. He wanted to see how the young man would respond to the criticism.
Baty did well on the test.
The player said he trusts the way he plays baseball and the way he plays on the field. I was kind of responding when they got on me.
The center fielder pulled Baty aside after the team arrived. He knows the player will be facing a lot of scrutiny when he joins a first-place team.
"Nimmo took me aside and told me to slow it down." It's going to be a big crowd. We all know you are trustworthy. Baty said that they had your back. I wanted to hear that.
In other injury developments, pitcher Taijuan Walker underwent an exam after he was forced to leave his start due to back pain.
Showalter said that it doesn't appear that Walker will be out for an extended period.
The Mets couldn't afford another blow to their rotation after Carlos Carrasco left Monday's game with an oblique injury. He will be out for up to a month.
Showalter said that the news was pretty good. His Sunday start is in danger, but we are still hopeful. If Walker can't go, who would step in?
After giving up three runs in a loss to the Braves on Tuesday, the Mets designated R.J. Alvarez for assignment. Clay was from Syracuse.
The AP information was used.
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