The New York Mets didn’t just tweak their roster this offseason - they flipped the script entirely. After a disappointing 2025, the front office went full throttle into a win-now mode, bringing in Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, and Marcus Semien to bolster an already talent-rich infield.
The moves were loud, decisive, and meant to make a statement. But they also created a logjam - and right in the middle of it is Brett Baty, a player who finally looked like he was turning the corner last season.
Baty’s Breakout: Real Progress, Real Questions
For the better part of the last few seasons, Baty’s name has carried more promise than production. But in 2025, that narrative started to shift.
Over 130 games and 393 plate appearances, Baty slashed .254/.313/.435, good for a .748 OPS and a 111 wRC+. Translation: he was 11% better than the average big league hitter, and he did it while flashing the kind of power that scouts have long believed was in there - 18 home runs and 50 RBIs to be exact.
Dig into the advanced metrics, and the breakout looks even more legit. Baty’s Barrel Rate (12.8%) ranked in the 80th percentile, and his Hard-Hit Rate (46.9%) wasn’t far behind in the 72nd percentile.
His average bat speed? A scorching 74.8 mph, good for the 86th percentile.
When he connected, he did damage - his expected slugging percentage (.457 xSLG) and expected weighted on-base average (.334 xwOBA) both suggest that his 2025 wasn’t smoke and mirrors. This wasn’t a guy getting lucky.
This was a hitter learning how to weaponize his tools.
And it wasn’t just the bat. Baty, long viewed as a bat-first prospect with defensive limitations, made real strides at third base.
His arm strength still lagged - 81.2 mph puts him in the 28th percentile - but his range and instincts took a big step forward. He posted +1 Outs Above Average (OAA), ranking in the 69th percentile in fielding range.
That’s a tangible improvement, and it helped shift the perception of Baty from defensive liability to capable big league third baseman.
Still, there’s work to be done. The swing-and-miss issues haven’t gone away.
A 27.3% Whiff Rate and a 25.0% Strikeout Rate put him in the bottom third of the league in terms of contact ability. But even with those blemishes, Baty’s 2025 was a clear step forward - and a sign that he’s ready for more.
The Projections: Solid Bat, Uncertain Role
Looking ahead to 2026, the biggest question surrounding Baty isn’t whether he can hit - it’s whether he’ll get the chance to. The projections reflect that uncertainty.
ZiPS is the most bullish, pegging Baty for 128 games, 19 home runs, a .251 average, and a repeat of his 111 wRC+. That’s essentially a carbon copy of his 2025, just stretched over a slightly larger sample.
Steamer, on the other hand, is more cautious - 93 games, 14 home runs, and a 108 wRC+. The gap isn’t about talent.
It’s about opportunity.
And that’s the crux of the issue. Baty is entering his age-26 season with clear signs of growth, and the underlying metrics suggest there’s even more in the tank.
His projected ISO (Isolated Power) sits in the .170-.180 range across most systems - a healthy mark for a player who could hit 20-25 homers with solid defense. But with Bichette potentially sliding over to third, and the Mets likely rotating players through the DH spot to keep legs fresh, Baty’s path to 500 plate appearances is far from guaranteed.
Finding the Fit: Where Does Baty Belong?
So how do the Mets make it work?
If Bichette locks down third base, Baty’s options narrow. He’s dabbled in left field before, and while it’s not his natural position, it could be a way to keep his bat in the lineup. There’s also the possibility of a DH platoon, where his left-handed swing could do serious damage against right-handed pitching.
But trading Baty now would be a tough sell. His 2025 performance showed he belongs, and his power metrics are the kind that don’t grow on trees.
The Mets’ lineup leans heavily right-handed, and Baty offers a much-needed lefty presence with legitimate pop. He’s not just a depth piece - he’s a potential difference-maker.
The Mets aren’t just building a contender - they’re building a super team. And in that kind of environment, versatility and production matter more than pedigree.
Baty’s shown he can hit big-league pitching. He’s shown he can hold his own defensively.
Now, he just needs the runway.
2026: The Year Baty Forces the Issue
This could be the season Brett Baty makes himself impossible to ignore. The tools are there - the exit velocity, the improved glove, the raw power. If he can cut down the whiffs even slightly, he’s got the profile of an everyday player on a team with championship aspirations.
Whether he ends up as the everyday third baseman, a left field experiment, or a power-hitting DH who punishes righties, Baty has earned his spot in this conversation. The projections see a league-average or better bat.
But the ceiling? It’s higher than that.
And in a Mets lineup loaded with stars, Baty could be the kind of complementary piece that makes the whole thing click.
The Mets went all-in this offseason. Now it’s up to Baty to prove he belongs in the hand they’re playing.