Top prospect Baty homers for Mets in 1st big league at-bat

What a debut for Brett Baty! 

The 22-year-old third baseman turned the fifth participant in New York Mets historical past to homer in his first big league at-bat Wednesday night time, launching a two-run shot into the right-field seats in opposition to the Atlanta Braves.

Mets prospect Brett Baty HRs in first big league at-bat

Highly-touted Mets prospect Brett Baty smashed a house run into proper area in his first major-league at-bat.

With a runner aboard and the Mets already up 2-0 in the second inning on back-to-back homers in the opening body, Baty took a ball from Jake Odorizzi earlier than connecting with a dangling curve.

Ronald Acuña Jr. peeled off, trying to play the ball off the tall brick wall in proper, however the 377-foot drive dropped into the seats.

Baty’s mom, father, sister and different family members who flew in on brief discover for the event leaped from their seats at Truist Park. Baty was swarmed by his teammates in the dugout.

The final Mets participant to homer his first time up in the majors was Mike Jacobs on Aug. 21, 2005, at Washington.

One of the Mets’ prime prospects, Baty batted eighth in his main league debut. He took over for Eduardo Escobar, who went on the 10-day injured listing with a strained left indirect.

Baty was known as up from Syracuse only a week after being promoted to the Triple-A membership. Before the sport, he insisted he wasn’t fascinated with coming as much as the big leagues this rapidly.

“It wasn’t on my thoughts in any respect,” Baty stated. “I used to be simply fascinated with profitable ballgames for Syracuse. But now I’m right here, so it’s about profitable ballgames for the New York Mets.”

Escobar was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday’s recreation after understanding on the sector earlier than batting follow. Manager Buck Showalter stated Escobar’s damage had taken a flip for the more serious and he didn’t wish to danger a long-term difficulty.

The No. 12 total choose in the 2019 draft, Baty was hitting a mixed .315 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs for Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse.

His offensive numbers — particularly his energy — have enormously improved this season over his first two years in the minors.

“I’m not placing any expectations on myself,” Baty stated. “I’m simply gonna go on the market and play to the perfect of my skill. I’m right here for a purpose. I’ll let it present and do my finest on the market.”

Escobar went on the IL, retroactive to Tuesday, clearing the way in which for Baty to affix the membership.

Showalter received an opportunity to work with Baty in spring coaching. He challenged the native of Round Rock, Texas, a couple of occasions, desperate to see how he would react to what the supervisor coyly known as “constructive criticism.”

Baty handed that take a look at.

“I belief the way in which I play baseball, and I belief myself out on the sector,” the rookie stated. “They have been getting on me, however I used to be type of responding.”

Center fielder Brandon Nimmo pulled Baty apart after the crew arrived at Truist Park. He is aware of the extremely touted participant shall be going through intense scrutiny becoming a member of a first-place crew that’s attempting to assert its first division title since 2015.

“Nimmo simply took me apart and he was like, ‘Hey, man, slow it down. It’s gonna be a fairly big environment for certain. But all of us belief you on the market. We have your again,’” Baty stated. “That’s what I wished to listen to.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.