Mets option Mark Vientos to Triple-A, Buck Showalter says he needs at-bats down there

After activating Pete Alonso from the 10-day injured list, the Mets announced Mark Vientos was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

"At this time, Mark needs to get some at-bats down there," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's had, I think, in his career, he's had the equivalent of a month in the major leagues. It's kinda how it falls sometimes."

Vientos appeared in 16 games with the Mets since he was called up on May 17. In 49 plate appearances, he had eight hits with one home run and 5 RBI and three walks, slashing .178/.225/.244 for a .469 OPS.

Showalter added that Vientos getting consistent at-bats with the Mets was going to be tough in the coming period and finding a place to slot him in defensively was a challenge.

"I like Mark. I love how his work habits, I wouldn't say improved, [but] just seemed more focused on things," he said. "He's shown the ability to hit the ball hard when there's contact... He's got a chance to be a good hitter and I think he's starting to really make strides defensively. He's gonna play first and third down there. And I think we'll see him again."

Showalter added: "He's working hard at it to be an option for us defensively."

Showalter spoke about the trajectory prospects take when they are called up, following an upswing when they first arrive before hitting a tough part after seeing big league pitchers every at-bat and the adjustments they make before a young player finds their level.

"If their work habits and their makeup is good, you just want to feel comfort they're gonna seek their level," the manager said. "There's a comfort in knowing that someone is going to find whatever their level is. And the thing that gives you discomfort is whatever its work habits or reality of what it takes to play here. That's why you're always trying to simulate that as much as possible in the minor leagues."

Showalter added the chasm between major league pitchers and Triple-A is bigger than he's ever seen it before. "It's so hard to simulate the speed of the game up here compared to there."

In 38 games for Syracuse this year, the 23-year-old slashed .333/.416/.688 for a 1.104 OPS with 11 doubles, 13 home runs and 37 RBI.

“But if it’s meant to be, it will happen," Showalter said. "Billy Martin told me a long time ago, you can’t mess up the good ones. They'll seek their level. They will get there. We'll see."

The Mets' skipper added: "I think Mark at some point in his career the waters may part and he may get to play every day at some position."