Mark Vientos praised by Mets icon after latest playoff heroics

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos finished a tremendous at-bat in the second inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at the Los Angeles Dodgers by hitting a grand slam that helped the Mets earn a 7-3 victory on Monday afternoon and even the series at 1-1. 

Former Mets captain and club icon David Wright watched the action unfold at Dodger Stadium and offered some high praise for Vientos following the win. 

"When I watch him play he looks like a 10-year veteran as opposed to a rookie," Wright said about Vientos during a chat with Andy Martino of SNY. "Nothing fazes him and he doesn’t allow one bad at bat or one error to faze him." 

Vientos emerging as an everyday player this past spring has repeatedly been mentioned as one reason the Mets enjoyed a summer resurgence after they fell to 24-35 in early June. While first baseman Pete Alonso and shortstop Francisco Lindor are responsible for the most dramatic blasts of New York's postseason run, Vientos has established himself as a vital part of what could become a World Series lineup. 

Across his first nine playoff games, Vientos slashed .378/.410/.676 with three homers, two doubles and 11 RBI. As shared by Ben Krimmel of SNY, Vientos showed the confidence of a proven veteran when he said after Monday's win that he "took it personal" the Dodgers elected to walk Lindor and load the bases in the top of the second inning before the 24-year-old made his way to the plate. 

"I remember meeting him for the first time in spring training when he was in the minor leagues," Wright said about Vientos. "They asked me to go speak to a group of infielders during early work. Mind you, it’s the middle of spring at 7 a.m. He asked if I had extra time after working/speaking with the group to spend with him individually. We hung out for the next 20 minutes just talking baseball. That has always stuck with me." 

Vientos seemingly took Wright's advice to heart. The star-in-the-making will look to produce yet another highlight-reel moment when the NLCS resumes at Citi Field in Queens on Wednesday night.