Mets infielder Mark Vientos enjoys his multicultural roots

HOUSTON – The aroma of gallo pinto, a traditional Nicaraguan dish of rice and beans, would consistently fill the air of Mark Vientos’ childhood home. On colder days, a warm bowl of Dominican sancocho would please his taste buds.

Although Vientos was born in Norwalk, Conn., the Mets‘ infielder enjoyed the blessings of roots in three different countries.

His mother Katy Wilmor is from Nicaragua. His father Charles Manuel Vientos is from the Dominican Republic. Mark Vientos’ paternal grandfather was born in Puerto Rico. Although his mother did most of the cooking, traditional Dominican dishes were consistently on the menu in Vientos’ home. 

Family sacrifices

At a young age, Vientos moved with his family to Miami. That’s where Vientos learned to love baseball. His road to becoming a starter with the Mets was filled with adversity. 

Vientos, 25, appreciates the sacrifices his parents have made to make his dream a possibility. 

“I show love and appreciation to them everyday,” Vientos said. “There’s more to come for sure.”

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The 6-foot-3 slugger recalls the times his parents worked long hours to support his baseball endeavors. At times, it seemed impossible for Wilmor and the elder Vientos to take their son to games. They had to precisely maneuver their work schedules to have the time and the money to pay for the tournaments Vientos attended.

No matter how thin their wallets seemed or the time against them, Vientos’ parents found a way to watch him play. 

“My parents helped me the whole way,” he said, “and I owe a whole lot to them.”

Mark Vientos represents USA

Long before his breakout 2024 season, Vientos represented Team USA in the 2014 U15 Baseball World Cup in Sinaloa, Mexico. On a team that produced major league talent, Vientos played a key role in the USA’s silver medal finish. 

Vientos was later drafted in the second round of 2017 MLB Draft out of American Heritage High School in Plantain, Fla. by the Mets. The power-hitting third baseman was a productive hitter in the minors. He hit under .270 only twice. 

Despite being productive in the minors, Vientos struggled early on adapting to the majors. He was a September call-up in 2022. He had six hits in 36 at-bats and struck out 12 times. In 2023 he suffered a similar fate. He went back-and-forth from Class AAA and the majors. 

In 2024 after a great spring, Vientos was optioned to the minors once again before Opening Day. The Mets gave Brett Baty the starting third base job that Vientos sought. 

However, Baty’s struggles forced the Mets to make a change. New York recalled Vientos from Syracuse on May 15. He never looked back. Vientos hit 27 home runs in 2024. That was tied for the fourth most home runs in a season by a Mets player 24 years old or younger. He also had 71 RBIs and 22 doubles. 

Confident Vientos

Mark Vientos’ confidence helped him not lose sight of his goals after the constant demotions and promotions. Believing in himself helped him tackle the pressure of the minor leagues. The way he carries himself makes him seem like a veteran on the field. 

“Everyone has adversity,” he said. “Being in the minor leagues itself is adversity. Playing in the minor leagues is tough. A lot of people go through it, and at the end of the day I was only focused on the things I can control and getting better.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza knows a thing or two about the toughness of the minor leagues. Mendoza spent 13 years in the minors before becoming a coach for the Yankees organization. 

The Venezuelan manager praises Vientos’ mental strength. Mendoza appreciates that Vientos knows he belongs in the big leagues. Moreover, Mendoza can tell that Vientos’ confidence is buoyed by the success he had last season.

Vientos “went through a lot and faced a lot of adversity,” Mendoza said. “He became one of the guys for us. You saw what he did not only in the regular season but in the playoffs. And here he is.”