MMO from Port St. Lucie: Stars Shine in Live BP

The march toward the regular season continues!

Pitchers, catchers, and even some position players were at it again for the New York Mets today. Across the Mets’ Port St. Lucie complex, the team was getting their work in. Bullpens were flowing, the sounds of the bat smacking the ball echoed out, and the whiff of competition filled the air. It was another beautiful day in the Florida sun, and with that, it was another great day of spring training action. Let’s dive into it!

Bullpens and Batting Practice

As always, the entire New York Mets squad was working throughout the morning in Port St. Lucie.

On the pitching side of things, plenty of players continued their ramp-ups. Jonah Tong, as he has done all week, worked on his feel for his pitches off the mound. It was not his “bullpen” day, but the heralded prospect continued to show his dedication. Another Mets’ prospect, Jack Wenninger, got his full bullpen in today. Displaying a nice fastball, I was impressed by the other offerings from Wenninger. The other pitches working off his fastball displayed bite and good location; already New York’s #11 prospect(2025 rankings), the Illinois and Murray State product is yet another young arm that bears watching this spring.

Jack Wenninger getting his bullpen in today. Showed the juice on the fastball and some of his offspeed offerings. #Mets pic.twitter.com/tdpvnZBgc8

— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) February 12, 2026

Hitters for the Mets also got to work, taking batting practice on one of the backfields. Carson Benge was extremely impressive during his sets. Showcasing a growth mentality, just as he did on Wednesday, the outfielder honed in on his mechanics and flow as a hitter as he worked through his swings. The easy pull-side power was also on full display; on his last BP swing of the day, the heralded outfielder put a ball off the shed in right field.

Ryan Clifford also showed his easy power throughout the day, while Jorge Polanco and Bo Bichette (more on them shortly) rocketed balls all over the field. It was, by all means, a very impressive group of hitters in batting practice.

Carson Benge on the field for some BP.
The power was on full display for the OF today; on his last swing of his last round, he put a ball onto the roof of the shed in RF. #Mets pic.twitter.com/LfTEe0gbVK

— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) February 12, 2026

Live BP

Speaking of Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco, the duo was very impressive in live at-bats against Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta.

Just as he did in batting practice, Polanco displayed lightning-quick hands and very compact mechanics. Attacking the right pitches in his at-bats and battling at the plate, Polanco ripped multiple balls all over the field. He not only displayed the ability to go up the middle, but also to take pitches the other way with authority.

Nice result from Jorge Polanco against Clay Holmes, shooting a ball up the middle on the second pitch he saw. Compact swing, quick hands to the ball. #Mets pic.twitter.com/Bu5QZljMMG

— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) February 12, 2026

Bichette, not to be outdone, may have had the best swing of the entire day. Facing Peralta, the former Blue Jay hit an absolute rocket to right field for a home run. The swing showed the best of Bichette at the plate; not only can he cover everywhere, but he can also hit the ball with authority to the opposite field. And throughout the day, Bichette showed a good ability to battle at the plate and make pitchers work. For his first full day of workouts, it is every good that the prized free agent signing is hitting the ground running.

Bo Bichette absolutely SMOKED a ball the other way in Live BP. Very, very good swing from the 3B.

— Brandyn Pokrass (@brandyn-pokrass.bsky.social) 2026-02-12T18:00:07.083Z

I would also be remiss if I did not mention A.J. Ewing‘s performance from today’s practice. In two at-bats, the prospect absolutely smoked two balls; one was a rocket to left field, while the other was on the pull side toward right field. Not only were the hands quick from Ewing, but his mechanics were rock solid. The at-bats from the 21-year-old were some of the best of the day, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, he is another prospect to keep a close eye on this spring.

Notes from Carlos Mendoza and Bo Bichette

At his press conference today, Carlos Mendoza spoke about what it was like to see Bo Bichette and Freddy Peralta face each other in live batting practice reps.

“It’s just fun. Some of the best players in the game are facing each other on day two of pitchers and catchers. Both are here early in camp, and you get that type of matchup. It’s like it’s real now. They are getting ready for their season, and they get to go out and do it together.

Mendoza spoke about working with Bichette at third base, emphasizing the focus on helping him “realize how much time he has.” He added that he is helping Bichette with the feel for the game at 3B, which was seen at practice today. He also spoke about his first impressions of the Mets’ newest third baseman.

“He’s a gamer. A guy who competes and gives you quality at-bats. He uses the whole field, and the situation is never too big for him…He is a competitor, and I am glad he is on our side now.

New 3B Bo Bichette getting ground ball work in today at his new spot. Manager Carlos Mendoza has been watching and working with Bichette the entire period, too. #Mets pic.twitter.com/si955uq10s

— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) February 12, 2026

In his press conference, Bichette said that his initial days in spring training have been a lot of “meeting new people and setting a new routine.” He added that it is very exciting and that this “feels like his first season again.”

Regarding playing third base, Bichette said he is not “surprised” by anything, but is rather getting used to the differences at the position.

“It is more forward to back than side-to-side. Having more time at third base is something that I’m getting used to and understanding that I can take a little bit more time.”

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