Mets Select Brett Baty with First Round Pick in 2019 MLB Draft

By Jerry Del Priore

With the 12th pick in the 2019 MLB amateur draft, the New York Mets selected third baseman/first baseman Brett Baty, who is a 19-year-old high schooler from Lake Travis, Texas. 

This is general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s first draft and could signify good things to come for a beleaguered organization.

A player with good power, the six-foot-three, 210-pounder could switch to a corner outfield spot in the future. Baty’s hitting prowess has impressed baseball scouts, as he has smashed a .624 average with 19 home runs and 50 RBI this season.  He also displayed good patience at the plate, walking 44 times, and has stolen 16 bases, too. 

Whether Baty signs with the Mets or not, comes to down to money. According to MLB.com, his projected signing bonus would be approximately $4.37 million based on his draft position.

If Baty decides not to ink with New York, he’ll play ball at the University of Texas instead. 

But it’s hard to imagine that any teenager would pass up that type of money. He can always go to college at a later time.