Mar 17, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third base Brett Baty (7) fields a ground ball during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Mets legend reveals unique reason for Brett Baty support

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI | By Grant Young | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 7:00 PM ET

New York Mets infielder Brett Baty has put himself in a great position to earn playing time during the start of the 2025 MLB season.

The combination of unfortunate injuries to second basemen Jeff McNeil and Nick Madrigal, New York deciding not to re-sign Jose Iglesias, and the great spring training that Baty has put together to this point — proven by his .308 average, .910 OPS, and 12 hits in 39 at-bats as of March 18 — makes it so the 25-year-old could be manning second base come Opening Day.

What a play by Buttó and Baty! pic.twitter.com/BPCNj5ZxO8
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 17, 2025

Baty finally finding success at the MLB level would be a welcome sight for any Mets fan, considering how he has been touted as a top prospect for the past several years.

Another member of the Mets community who's keen to see Baty succeed is the legendary José Reyes. However, his reason why is hilarious and unique, which he revealed during a March 17 appearance on SNY.

"He's a good athlete, I think he's going to be just fine at second base," Reyes said, per an X post from SNY. "But this is going to be your last time playing every day. This is gonna be your opportunity now to perform and show people you belong in the major leagues.

"And also, you wear No. 7 come on! Let's go," Reyes continued while speaking about Baty.

"You're wearing #7, come on!"

On Baseball Night in New York, @lamelaza_7 weighs in on if it'll be something or nothing for Brett Baty learning second base

▶ Tri-State @Cadillac pic.twitter.com/fiQ3GbEQer
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 17, 2025

Reyez is arguably the most iconic player in Mets franchise history to wear No. 7. With how Baty — who gave up No. 22 this season so Juan Soto could have it — has looked so far this spring, perhaps there's a chance 7 is his lucky number.

This article first appeared on New York Mets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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