40 Facts About Mark Vientos

Early Life and High School Career

Mark Vientos' journey to the MLB began in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he was born on December 11, 1999. His multicultural background and early exposure to baseball set the stage for his future success.

1. Mark Vientos was born on December 11, 1999, in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
2. His mother was born in Nicaragua, and his father was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York.
3. Vientos' father was a lifelong Mets fan, which influenced Mark's early baseball interests.
4. He spent his first three years of high school at Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
5. As a junior in 2016, he hit .321, showcasing his early talent.
6. That summer, he played in the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park.
7. In 2017, Vientos transferred to American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, for his senior year.
8. Despite a quad injury, he hit .417 over 26 games during his senior year.

Draft and Early Professional Career

Vientos' impressive high school performance caught the attention of MLB scouts, leading to his selection by the New York Mets in the 2017 draft.

9. After his senior year, Vientos was selected by the New York Mets in the second round (59th overall) of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.
10. He signed with the Mets for $1.5 million, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at the University of Miami.
11. Vientos made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Mets.
12. He was then promoted to the Kingsport Mets of the Rookie-level Appalachian League.
13. In Kingsport, he batted .262 with four home runs and 26 RBIs over 51 games.

Rising Through the Ranks

Vientos quickly moved up the ranks within the Mets organization, showcasing his power and versatility.

14. In 2018, Vientos returned to Kingsport and had a standout season, slashing .287/.389/.489 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs in 60 games.
15. Originally drafted as a shortstop, Vientos made the move to third base in 2018.
16. After the 2019 season, Vientos was named the Mets Minor League Hitter of the Year.
17. He hit .255 with 12 home runs and 62 RBIs while playing for the Columbia Fireflies in the Single-A South Atlantic League.
18. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant Vientos did not play any minor league games that year.

Breakthrough and Major League Debut

Vientos' hard work paid off as he made his way to the major leagues, making a significant impact in his debut season.

19. In 2021, Vientos was assigned to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies of the Double-A Northeast.
20. He had a strong season, slashing .281/.346/.580 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs over 72 games.
21. After his impressive performance in Binghamton, Vientos was promoted to the Syracuse Mets of the Triple-A East in early September 2021.
22. Over 11 games with Syracuse, he batted .278 with three home runs.
23. On November 19, 2021, the Mets selected Vientos' contract and added him to the 40-man roster.
24. Vientos began the 2022 season with the Syracuse Mets.
25. He was placed on the injured list with knee discomfort but returned just over a week later.
26. He was selected to represent the Mets at the 2022 All-Star Futures Game alongside Francisco Álvarez.
27. On September 10, 2022, the Mets promoted Vientos to the major leagues.
28. He made his MLB debut the next night at Marlins Park versus the Miami Marlins as the team's designated hitter, going hitless over five at-bats with two strikeouts.
29. Vientos recorded his first major-league hit on September 15, 2022, with a single off of Eric Stout of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
30. On September 24, 2022, Vientos hit his first major league home run off of Oakland Athletics starter Ken Waldichuk.

2023 Season and Beyond

Vientos continued to develop his skills and make a name for himself in the major leagues, showing promise for the future.

31. Vientos was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the 2023 season.
32. He continued to work on his skills and was eventually called up to the major leagues.
33. In his first full season in the major leagues, he hit five home runs and drove in 22 runs in 65 games.
34. Vientos has significantly improved his defensive skills at third base.
35. He stands tall and slender at 6-4, 220 pounds, giving him the physical attributes to play first base if needed.
36. Vientos has adopted a daily routine that includes a morning walk, grabbing coffee, eating a nutritional breakfast, and reducing his appetite for pepperoni pizza.
37. He practices meditation and visualization to stay consistent both on and off the field.
38. The 2024 season has been a breakout year for Vientos, leading all National League third basemen with 21 home runs.
39. He hit .276 with 56 RBI and an .873 OPS, which is 48% higher than the league average.
40. Vientos' power and defensive skills make him an essential piece in the Mets' lineup, and he is expected to continue contributing to the team's success.

Mark Vientos: A Rising Star

Mark Vientos has quickly become a name to watch in Major League Baseball. Born in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and with roots in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, he's brought a unique blend of power and defensive skills to the New York Mets. From his high school days at Charles W. Flanagan High School and American Heritage School to his professional debut and rapid rise through the minor leagues, Vientos has consistently impressed. His transition to third base, power-hitting ability, and defensive improvements have made him a key player for the Mets. Despite setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic and minor league demotions, Vientos has shown resilience and determination. With a breakout 2024 season, he's poised to become one of baseball's biggest names. Keep an eye on this young talent as he continues to make his mark on the game.