As has been the case for the last week, the action was flowing in Florida. From individual fielding work to bullpens to live batting practice, there is a lot to cover from a beautiful Monday morning baseball practice. Let\u2019s dive into it!<\/p>\n
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Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized<\/p>\n
Welcome to Spring Training, Full-Team Edition<\/p>\n
Like previous days of practice, the Mets got to work all over the different areas of their Port St. Lucie complex. This time, though, everyone was in attendance.<\/p>\n
The infielders got a wide variety of work in to start the day, which of course included Bo Bichette<\/a> and Ronny Mauricio<\/a>. While working on the fundamentals, they were supervised by the watchful eye of shortstop Francisco Lindor. Despite not practicing, the Mets\u2019 superstar was constantly talking to his teammates during drills and downtime. On the other side of the field, Brett Baty got ground balls at first base. Already mentioned as a player to watch in right field, New York is ensuring that Baty will have ample opportunity to carve out a role for the 2026 Mets.<\/p>\n Francisco Lindor taking in fielding drills from Bo Bichette and Ronny Mauricio to start off the day. Good to see him being involved despite his recent surgery. #Mets<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/y5r01l6Bk3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Brett Baty, 1B? The former 3B getting some work in at the other corner infield spot today. #Mets<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/i7oHiJWiMF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n New York then shifted to a baseball staple at every level: Infield-outfield work! As someone who has witnessed the good and bad of this drill at every level of baseball, besides pro ball, the smoothness of the players stood out immediately. From playing the ball off the wall to hitting the cut off to the accuracy of the throws, everything was done at a high level. It is another representation of the difference between a pro player and everyone else; no matter if they are \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d players, the level of separation from the average player is very noticeable.<\/p>\n Infield\/Outfield from the #Mets today. Even at the pro level, the fundamentals are still trained in practice!<\/p>\n \u2014 Brandyn Pokrass (@brandyn-pokrass.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-02-16T15:52:16.137Z<\/a><\/p>\n Before shifting over to live hitting reps,\u00a0some of the Mets\u2019 hitters put on a show during batting practice. Juan Soto, to no surprise, torched the ball all over the field with ease. His mechanics are smooth and repeatable, allowing him to essentially do whatever he wants with the baseball. However, Francisco Alvarez<\/a> was arguably just as impressive.<\/p>\n The catcher, who has shed weight ahead of spring training, displayed impressive power to all fields. On three separate swings during his sessions, he put a ball off the berm in right field on one bounce, cleared the batter\u2019s eye in center field, and put a ball onto the roof of the Home Run House in left field. It is not often that one can make clear observations in batting practice, but the power from the Mets\u2019 backstop was hard not to be impressed by.<\/p>\n In BP, Francisco Alvarez put this one off the roof of the Home Run House in LF. His power has been on full display to all fields in all of his BP rounds today. #Mets<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LUekhtoaHc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Live BPs<\/p>\n Facing live batters once again, Christian Scott<\/a> upped the ante and stood out in a major way.<\/p>\n Hitting 95 miles per hour today, according to manager Carlos Mendoza<\/a>, the pitcher put pitches by batters all day long. Scott located very well, kept hitters guessing, and was able to put them away for strikeouts. On different occasions, Scott sat down with Mark Vientos<\/a>, Marcus Semien<\/a>, and Juan Soto. Already standing out in a major way to this point in spring training, Scott is putting himself in a great spot heading toward game action this weekend.<\/p>\n Christian Scott is dealing today, folks. The RHP notched two more strikeouts against Marcus Semien and Juan Soto. #Mets<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sFmiBYhGTP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The other pitcher of the day, Justin Hagenman<\/a>, was solid, too. Despite letting up some hits early on, the pitcher settled in and struck out two batters, including Juan Soto. The fastball was very solid from him, while the offspeed pitches showed bite and solid location over the course of his \u201couting.\u201d<\/p>\n On the hitting side of things, Jorge Polanco<\/a> continued to hit at a high level in the early portion of spring. Facing Scott, the infielder absolutely smoked a ball off the right field wall for what would have been an extra-base hit. Utilizing efficient mechanics and lightning-quick batspeed, Polanco continues to stand out every time he picks up the bat in Port St. Lucie. He is in a very good spot heading toward the first week of games.<\/p>\n Additionally, Bo Bichette and Juan Soto had nice hits in Live BP. Bichette smoked a ball to right field off Hagenman, displaying his great ability to go the opposite way with authority. Soto, facing Scott for the second time, lasered the second pitch of the at-bat to left field for a base hit. In typical Soto fashion, it showed the star\u2019s innate ability to download pitchers and make adjustments the second time he faces them.<\/p>\n Jorge Polanco was the lone player to find success against Christian Scott, lacing a ball off the wall in RF. Really liking how he\u2019s swinging the bat so far. #Mets<\/p>\n \u2014 Brandyn Pokrass (@brandyn-pokrass.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-02-16T17:05:00.420Z<\/a><\/p>\n Facing Scott again, Juan Soto did get some revenge, lacing the ball to LF on the second pitch of the at-bat. #Mets<\/p>\n \u2014 Brandyn Pokrass (@brandyn-pokrass.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-02-16T17:19:08.331Z<\/a><\/p>\n Quotes of the Day<\/p>\n At his media availability, Steve Cohen spoke about his general impression of the team so far.<\/p>\n \u201cI just got here today, and I feel like there is a different energy here this year. I do not know what it is, but it feels really optimistic. There are a lot of new faces, but I am very excited about this team. I am excited about the energy I see, and we will see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Cohen, regarding the team\u2019s changes, said that they were needed. The Mets\u2019 owner added that he really wants to win and is \u201cvery annoyed\u201d about not winning much yet. He emphasized his strong commitment to the team, acknowledged how much the fans care, said 1986 is \u201ctoo long\u201d since the last championship, and wants the team in a position to compete every year.<\/p>\n Regarding the status of a \u201cteam captain,\u201d Cohen slammed the door shut. Asked about Cohen\u2019s quote in his press conference, Mendoza agreed with the owner\u2019s sentiment.<\/p>\n \u201cSince I have been in this chair, we have been pretty consistent about the idea of a captain. There is a reason why we have not named one. The way I see it, we have a bunch of guys involved in the leadership group\u2026When you are talking about a major league locker room, you need to have a few guys who are leaders. That is what makes teams great.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\u201cAs long as I am the owner of the team, there will never be a team captain \u2026 Let the locker room sort it out year in and year out. There will never be a captain.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/XWBcyxX7-e1686140012520-300x130.jpg\")
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