You remember that feeling. The 2024 NLCS had just started, and the New York Mets looked like they were running out of gas. They’d been shut out 9-0 in Game 1. It felt like the "Grimace" magic had finally curdled. Then came the second inning of Game 2.
The bases were loaded. Two outs. Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ skipper, made a move that felt like a slap in the face to a young player. He intentionally walked Francisco Lindor to get to a 24-year-old kid who didn't even make the Opening Day roster.
Mark Vientos just adjusted his sunglasses. He gave a tiny nod. Basically, he took it personally.
The Mark Vientos Grand Slam That Changed the Vibe
Honestly, the atmosphere in Dodger Stadium shifted the second Vientos stepped in. Landon Knack was on the mound, trying to be cute with a 1-2 count. Vientos wasn't having it. He battled. He fouled off five pitches, grinding the at-bat into the dirt until it was 3-2.
Then came the ninth pitch.
It was a 95.1 mph heater right where you don't put heaters. Vientos didn't try to pull it into the Pacific. He stayed inside it and launched a high, arching fly ball to right-center field.
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It felt like it hung in the air for an eternity.
When it finally cleared the wall, 391 feet away, it was more than just four runs. It was a statement. It was only the fourth postseason grand slam this century to come immediately after an intentional walk. Vientos became the youngest player in LCS history to hit a slam.
"I use it as motivation," he said after the game. "I'm like, 'All right, you want me up, I'm going to show you.'" And he did. That swing propelled the Mets to a 7-3 win and evened the series. It also cemented Vientos as a legitimate October monster.
Why That Moment Actually Mattered
Most people forget that Vientos was an afterthought in April. He was stuck in Triple-A Syracuse while Brett Baty struggled. When he finally got the call in mid-May, he didn't just play; he took over.
By the time the playoffs rolled around, he wasn't just a "prospect" anymore. He was the protection for Lindor. The 2024 postseason stats are still kind of hard to believe:
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- .327 batting average
- 5 home runs
- 14 RBIs (a Mets single-postseason record)
His 14 RBIs broke the previous franchise record of 12, shared by John Olerud and Curtis Granderson. Think about that. A guy who wasn't even on the team in March outproduced every Mets legend in the history of the playoffs.
The 2025 Reality Check
Now, look. We have to be real here. Baseball is a "what have you done for me lately" business. If you followed the 2025 season, you know it wasn't all grand slams and Gatorade showers.
Vientos hit a "sophomore slump" hard. His batting average dipped to .233, and he struggled with a hamstring strain in June that killed his rhythm. The power didn't vanish—he still hit 17 homers and even managed another regular-season grand slam on July 28, 2025, against Dylan Cease—but the consistency was gone.
His barrel rate dropped from a 92nd percentile ranking in 2024 to about 72nd in 2025. He started missing fastballs. In 2024, he hit .326 against heaters. By 2025, that fell to .236. It’s a classic case of the league adjusting to a hitter and the hitter needing to find his next gear.
What Most People Get Wrong About Vientos
The biggest misconception is that he's just a "power bat" who can't play the field. While his defense at third base hasn't been Gold Glove caliber, he’s shown a lot of grit.
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The Mets shifted him to more of a DH/3B split in 2025 to keep his legs fresh, especially with Baty showing some life defensively. But the arm? The arm is legit. He still ranks high in arm strength, which keeps him in the conversation for the hot corner.
Is he the "third baseman of the future"? That's the million-dollar question. Some fans want to trade him while the 2024 highlight reel is still fresh. Others think he’s a 30-homer-per-year guy who just needs to stay healthy.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you're watching Vientos moving forward, here is what actually dictates his success:
- Fastball timing: If he’s not turning on 95 mph, he’s in trouble. Watch his front foot; if it's late, the slump is continuing.
- Plate discipline: His walk rate is low (around 6.5%). He needs to force pitchers back into the zone so he can get those "hangers" he feasts on.
- Health: That hamstring issue in 2025 changed his swing mechanics. A full, healthy 2026 spring training is non-negotiable.
The Mark Vientos grand slam in 2024 wasn't a fluke. It was the peak of a player who thrives on being doubted. Whether he can recapture that magic consistently is the drama of the next few seasons.
Keep an eye on his hard-hit rate. Even in his "bad" 2025 season, he was still in the 89th percentile for hard-hit percentage. The exit velocity is there. The "Swaggy V" confidence is there. Now, he just has to prove 2024 wasn't the only time he'd make a manager regret an intentional walk.