Mark Vientos shows signs of potential Mets breakout with big blast

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.On a rough afternoon for the Mets, the best sign for the club was 2025 Mark Vientos unleashing a swing that reminded of 2024 Mark Vientos.The third baseman/designated hitter was at his best last season — and throughout his rise in the minors — when he smacked balls the opposite way.Which is just what he did in the third inning Wednesday, crushing a three-run homer over the wall in right field during what became a 9-4 loss to the White Sox at Citi Field.“When I can get a high fastball like that and go the other way with authority,” Vientos said of reversing the 94-mph fastball from Shane Smith, “I’m in a good spot.”Perhaps this will signify a breakthrough for Vientos, who was so consistent last season, but has been unable to stitch together the same kind of stretch of prolonged quality at-bats.

He had gone 12 straight games without a long ball and has not tallied a multi-hit game since May 12, a span in which he is 8-for-39 (.205).His .837 OPS last season has fallen to .690 this year.Vientos, who does not lack confidence, has felt the team and he would get hot soon.

Through two months of the year, it has not yet happened.Why?“I don’t know, to be honest with you.

I ask myself that, too,” Vientos said.“But I can’t really feel sorry for myself.

I just got to keep working and keep getting a hit here and there and contributing to my team as much as possible.”Carlos Mendoza called Vientos “on and off,” feeling as if the slugger has slowed down a few times just when he believed he would take off.The feeling from the manager and the player: Vientos, who showed plenty all of last season and in October, will be fine.“Probably the league adjusting to him, especially in this second year,” said Mendoza, who started Vientos at DH because of improved play from Brett Baty.“They get familiar with what you do...