Apr 2, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets infielder Mark Vientos (27) shakes hands with third base coach Tim Leiper (63) after hitting a one run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Mark Vientos’ confidence or feel at the plate is largely unchanged regardless of where his game is at. Maybe that’s why he has developed into such an offensive enigma for the Mets in recent years.
After a breakout 27-home-run campaign in 2024, the 26-year-old struggled mightily and was ultimately unable to recapture that mojo last season to the tune of 17 home runs and a .702 OPS in 121 games — 10 more appearances than the year before.
He survived an onslaught of trade rumors during the offseason, then had an abysmal spring by slashing .057/.108/.171 in 11 Grapefruit League games. While he made the Opening Day roster, he was on the outside looking in at third base, first base, and DH, appearing in just two of New York’s first five games of the season.
But new life has come with a calendar flip to April, and Vientos seems to be making the most of his opportunity, even though he quipped, yet again, that he simply feels “like myself.” Starting each of the Mets’ last four games entering Sunday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants, he has recorded hits in all of them, going 7-for-his-last-14.
That included three hits with a double and an RBI during the Mets’ 9-0 beatdown of the Giants on Saturday.
“It’s good to see it,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Especially after what he went through in spring training. We kept telling him, ‘It’s spring training. Keep hitting the ball hard. Keep controlling the strike zone.’ As a human, as a competitor, they want to see results. It’s just good to see him having the start he’s having right now.”
A clicking Vientos could potentially provide a significant reprieve for New York’s lineup. Left fielder Juan Soto is day-to-day with a calf strain, and with first baseman/DH Jorge Polanco dealing with Achilles tendinitis, the opportunities could continue to come flying.
“He’s a pretty important player for us,” Mendoza said. “We’re going to need him. If we can get some confidence early on, man, he’s going to be an impactful player for us.”
“I’m focused on the process and focused on having good at-bats and letting the rest fall into place,” Vientos added.
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