Mets' Mark Vientos Struggles in Spring Training

Manager Carlos Mendoza offers words of encouragement to the young slugger

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:43am

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Observations from Mets spring training on Monday reveal that top prospect Mark Vientos has struggled at the plate this spring, going 1-for-25. However, manager Carlos Mendoza has spoken with Vientos and reassured him that he is on the team and should focus on getting hard contact and improving defensively, as the team sees him as a big part of their future.

Why it matters

Vientos is considered one of the Mets' top hitting prospects, so his struggles in spring training are noteworthy. The team is clearly invested in his development and is trying to provide him with encouragement and guidance to help him get back on track.

The details

Vientos, who is 1-for-25 this spring, has had a rough start to spring training. However, manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with the young slugger and told him that he is already on the team and does not need to try to make the roster. Mendoza encouraged Vientos to focus on getting hard contact at the plate and improving his defense, as the team sees him as a key part of their future.

  • The observations from Mets spring training were made on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Mark Vientos

A top hitting prospect in the Mets' farm system who has struggled at the plate this spring, going 1-for-25.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets, who has spoken with Vientos to offer encouragement and guidance during his spring training struggles.

Francisco Alvarez

A Mets prospect who has continued to impress this spring, with a double that caught the eye of manager Carlos Mendoza.

Christian Scott

A Mets pitcher who has shown flashes of promise in his comeback from Tommy John surgery, but struggled in a recent outing against the Washington Nationals.

Sean Manaea

A Mets pitcher who is scheduled to take the mound against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, with his velocity being a focus of attention this spring.

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What they’re saying

“He's fine. I told him, 'You're on the team. You're not trying to make the team. Continue to get hard contact, and work defensively. He's gonna be a big player for us.'”

— Carlos Mendoza, Manager

What’s next

The Mets will continue to monitor Vientos' progress and development throughout the remainder of spring training, as they see him as a key part of their future. The team will also be keeping a close eye on Manaea's velocity in his upcoming start against the Marlins.

The takeaway

This story highlights the Mets' commitment to developing their top prospects, even when they face early struggles in spring training. The team's willingness to provide encouragement and guidance to Vientos, rather than panic over his slow start, demonstrates their belief in his long-term potential as a key contributor to the team's future success.