It may have only been for five innings, and he may have only had one ball hit in his direction, but Brett Baty made his right field debut in the Mets' 7-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon.
And while he wasn't exactly tested out there like he's been in a couple of games at first base -- another position he's learning this spring -- it's still good to see Baty trying new things, having a positive attitude and most of all, having fun.
"It’s feeling more and more normal," Baty said about the outfield, adding that getting live reps during batting practice the last few days has helped. "It’s like when I played at Double-A, so I’m having a lot of fun out there."
Baty clarified that he was never asked to play right field in Double-A, just left field, but that the two positions are very similar, just flipped.
So even though he didn't get a chance on Thursday to show off everything he's learned in the outfield, he'll certainly get more chances in the future, which is something Baty revels in.
"I'll play wherever," he said.
For Baty, who also learned second base last year after coming up as a third baseman, that's not just something he says. He means it.
As for the Mets, they'll take Baty's continued versatility if it means it keeps his bat in the lineup.
The 26-year-old had a good day at the plate against Washington, going 1-for-3, including a two-run opposite-field homer in the first inning. It was Baty's first hit of the spring after he had a breakout 2025 season in which he slashed .254/.313/.435 with 18 home runs.
After a rough first few seasons in the league, Baty turned it on in the second half last year and has looked like a different player since -- one that is more mature, self-assured and confident in himself.
"You see the way he’s going about it on and off the field, the interactions, the questions he’s asking pretty much every coach," manager Carlos Mendoza said. "… Just the confidence, not only defensively but offensively. He knows he’s a really good big league player and he will continue to get opportunities here."
Another player learning a new position for New York during camp is Jorge Polanco, who saw his first game action this spring at first base on Thursday. The veteran infielder has mostly played second base and shortstop, with some third base, in his career went 1-for-2 with a walk and felt good being back on the field.
"I’m used to taking ground balls," he said when asked about playing first base. "It felt pretty good... Every time we go out there, we gotta prepare and we gotta be ready to make plays. Every time we’re out there playing, we want the ball to [be] hit to us so we can make a play."
Polanco was also asked if he's starting to feel like a first baseman and he quickly and emphatically said "yes" twice, adding that getting his reps there is helping him be more comfortable.
In fact, he and Baty have been doing a lot of work together at first base during practice, learning from one another and helping each other the best they can.
"There’s no ego with him," Baty said about Polanco. "He wants to play and he’ll play wherever, and he was ready to do that from Day 1, so I think it’s awesome. And I think we’re both bouncing ideas off of each other and working on the footwork and just like what feels good, what works.
"So it’s good to have us both over there helping each other out. And Mark [Vientos] too, when he was here."
With some official innings at both first base and right field now under his belt, does Baty feel more natural at one or the other?
"I think it’s too early to tell," he said. "I’ve only played first base in two games and I’ve only played right [field] for five innings, so I’m just enjoying the process and having fun at both positions."
