Mark Vientos ($4,600; 35 FPTS) wasn’t good his first two seasons in the majors. During his rookie season, he slashed .167/.268/.278 with a .111 ISO and 29.3% strikeout rate in 41 plate appearances. Last season, he received 233 plate appearances, and while he did improve, slashing .211/.253/.367 with a .156 ISO, the strikeout rate was still high at 30.5%.
At the end of Spring Training, Vientos was sent down to Triple-A despite playing well, as there was no roster spot for him. He finally made it back with the big club a month into the season, but was sent back down when Starling Marte returned to action.
Life finds a way, though.
Brett Baty, who won the third base job, struggled and eventually was shut down with a finger injury. Vientos took advantage and hasn’t looked back since. Upon re-entering the lineup in mid-May, Vientos has slashed .281/.337/.537 with a .256 ISO. That’s translated to 21 home runs.
On Friday, he added to the count with a two-run shot in the first inning to give the Mets the early lead.
Elly De La Cruz ($6,300; 16 FPTS) finally responded for the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth inning with a two-run homer of his own.
In the seventh inning, TJ Friedl ($4,500; 16 FPTS) hit another two-run shot to tie the game at 4-4, sending it to extras.
Which set the stage for Vientos…
In the bottom of the 10th inning, on a 2-2 count, Vientos hit his second two-run home run for the walkoff win.
In the $100K Relay Throw tournament, Vientos was rostered on 4.9% of teams.
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