In recent seasons, the New York Mets have gained a reputation for reviving players’ careers. Since David Stearns stepped in as President of Baseball Operations, the team has become known for signing players to minor league contracts who then go on to have breakout or comeback seasons.
Take Jose Iglesias last year, for example — he went from nearly being out of baseball to becoming arguably one of the team’s most valuable players.
The Mets sign their next potential breakout player, inking third baseman to a minor league contract. While Villar will most likely be sent to Triple-A Syracuse, it does not mean he cant make an impact.
Throughout his career, Jonathan Villar has often been labeled a “Quad-A” player — someone who excels in the minors but struggles to find consistent success in the majors. Over seven minor league seasons, he’s posted an impressive .272/.366/.493 slash line with 147 home runs and 379 RBIs. In contrast, his major league numbers over four seasons drop to .200/.292/.391 with 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, and a 92 OPS+.
Despite his struggles at the big-league level, Villar showed flashes of potential during his rookie season in 2022. Over 52 games, he slashed .231/.331/.455 with nine home runs, 24 RBIs, and a strong 121 OPS+. A glimpse of that form reemerged in 2024, when he batted .257/.270/.457 with a home run, four RBIs, and a 104 OPS+ over an 11-game stretch.
To shake the Quad-A tag, Villar must improve his ability to hit something other than fastballs. While he’s been solid against heaters, batting .285 with a .505 slugging percentage, his numbers plummet to .138 and .220 respectively against off-speed and breaking pitches. This weakness has fueled his high strikeout rate — 31.6% over 335 career at-bats — and he’s never posted a whiff rate below 30% on non-fastballs in any season.
Progress in this area could help reduce his strikeouts and unlock more consistent production. Still, even if Villar makes significant strides in Triple-A Syracuse, breaking into the Mets’ crowded infield remains a challenge. With several infield options already ahead of him, it may take an injury for him to earn regular playing time. However, he could carve out a role as a bench bat or designated hitter — especially if he heats up while someone like Jesse Winker remains sidelined. The Mets have already shown a willingness to shuffle the DH spot, using players like Jared Young to keep Mark Vientos and Brett Baty in the field.
While this move may appear to be about adding organizational depth, Villar’s story has the potential to follow a familiar Mets narrative — one where a player’s career takes a surprising and promising turn in Queens.
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