Mets' Brett Baty has steady spring training debut at first base

"There are just some things that you never see in practice until you go out there and do it in a game. I was talking to [bench coach] Kai [Correa] and Mendy [Carlos Mendoza] about some of the plays out there [where] I felt I wanted to go get the ball. That's just how I've always been. At third base, you go get the ball - every ball that you can go get."

"Baty's natural athleticism was apparent throughout his four innings in the field. He held runners on, corralled pickoff throws, and was where he needed to be, when he needed to be there. Mendoza deemed his performance as "fine" - which is a pretty good launching point."

Brett Baty made his first professional appearance at first base during a Mets spring training game against the Nationals. Initially struggling with the positional adjustment—his instinct pulling him toward balls hit to his right as he would at second or third base—Baty quickly corrected himself and returned to cover first base. Over four innings, he demonstrated solid athleticism, holding runners, handling pickoff throws, and positioning himself correctly. Manager Carlos Mendoza evaluated his performance as "fine," noting Baty's athletic ability. This appearance represents another step in Baty's evolution as a super-utility player, expanding his defensive versatility beyond his natural third base position.

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