Mets Hire Mariano Duncan to Andy Green's Coaching Staff

The New York Mets have added Mariano Duncan to Andy Green's coaching staff, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Duncan's role is not yet specified, but he is expected to work with players in several different areas.

Duncan, 63, played 12 seasons in the major leagues, winning a World Series with both the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds. Since his playing days ended, he has held coaching positions with several organizations at both the major and minor league levels.

Most recently, Duncan spent the past five seasons as the bench coach for the Mets' Double-A affiliate, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, overseeing a crop of prospects who have since established themselves in New York.

Francisco Alvarez, a 24-year-old catcher, could benefit from Duncan's guidance. Alvarez played under Duncan during his time at High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton between 2021 and 2022. Over 151 games between both levels, Alvarez slugged a combined 40 home runs.

However, Alvarez has struggled to find a consistent approach at the plate. His swing has fluctuated between being too aggressive and overly focused on opposite-field hitting, leading to inconsistency in his performance.

Brett Baty, who also played under Duncan at Binghamton, has shown flashes of his potential but has yet to sustain success at the major league level. In 89 games at Binghamton in 2022, Baty hit .312 with 19 home runs and a .950 OPS.

Rojas, a 21-year-old prospect, may also benefit from Duncan's mentorship. In 118 at-bats for Binghamton after the Mets acquired him, Rojas hit .280 with eight doubles and nine home runs. He is expected to make his major league debut next season.

Duncan and Rojas are both natives of the Dominican Republic, which could provide additional familiarity for Rojas as he transitions to the majors. Duncan's experience as an infielder, particularly at second base, could also be valuable for Rojas.