“He’s hitting velo, he’s hitting fastballs, he’s pulling balls, he’s staying back on breaking balls,” Mendoza highlighted all the reasons why Baty’s breakout is legitimate. “Even his takes are different. It looks like he’s ready to hit, and then just shoving it down.

Baty’s home run in the seventh inning Tuesday night was the difference in the Mets’ 2-1 win over the Pirates. It was his fourth homer in five starts since he was called up to absorb some of the playing time created by Jesse Winker’s oblique injury.

Brett Baty almost became an afterthought as he slipped down the New York Mets' depth chart. Think again. A once-prized prospect who had lost his luster, Baty is finally beginning to break out in the big leagues.