Jacob Reimer, a promising New York Mets prospect, is coming off an impressive year in the minors, splitting his time equally between High-A and Double-A. While his primary position has been third base, he's also spent some time at first base.
However, his fielding at the hot corner has been a bit of a rollercoaster. With a .898 fielding percentage at third initially, he did make strides last year, improving to a .923.
Reimer knows what’s at stake. Under David Stearns' leadership, defense is a priority for the Mets, and Reimer’s mission is clear: become an elite defender. The last thing he wants is to follow in the footsteps of Mark Vientos, whose defensive struggles have been well-documented.
The Mets took a gamble this offseason by moving Bo Bichette from shortstop to third base, hoping his bat can compensate for any defensive hiccups. Meanwhile, Vientos finds himself in a tough spot. After a disappointing 2025 and a slow start in spring training, his role remains uncertain, especially with Jorge Polanco occupying the DH spot.
Reimer shares some similarities with Vientos, particularly as a rising power hitter in the system. His 17 home runs last year were a significant part of his development, despite missing most of 2024 due to injury. As he eyes a future in the majors, his performance at third base will be pivotal.
The Mets face a big question at third base, especially with Bichette’s future uncertain beyond 2026. Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio are also in the mix, meaning Reimer has competition. However, he isn’t locked into third base; he might find a better fit at first.
Currently, Reimer is one of the Mets' top power prospects, though Ryan Clifford is slightly ahead in the pecking order. Reimer’s bat is expected to be his ticket to the majors.
He even experimented with left field during the 2024 Arizona Fall League. Right now, he’s in a similar position to Vientos, with impressive minor league stats but questions about his ultimate role in the majors.
Unlike Vientos, who didn’t have the benefit of seeing a clear path laid out by the front office, Reimer has the chance to learn from those who came before him. His journey to becoming a reliable defensive third baseman is just beginning.