WASHINGTON — Jose Iglesias is a much different hitter than J.D. Martinez, but the two longtime friends seem to have the same knack for big hits in big moments.
Martinez and Iglesias both smacked homers in the 10th inning in each of the Mets’ first two games against the Washington Nationals this week. Yet their approaches to the game couldn’t be more different.
“We both perform, but we both speak two different languages on the baseball field,” Iglesias told the Daily News on Wednesday at Nationals Park. “He’s more mechanic; I take more of a game-plan approach, and go by feel.”
However, that doesn’t stop Iglesias from taking hitting tips from someone who has been known to dole them out to his teammates. After being out of the big leagues last season, Iglesias was determined to make it back. That meant hitting the ball harder.
Iglesias sought out Martinez when they were both with Triple-A Syracuse earlier this season with the intention of improving his bat speed and exit velocity, knowing that front offices look at those numbers.
At the encouragement of Martinez, Iglesias adopted the same bat speed program that involves swinging the weighted bat that has become popular with the DH and other Driveline Baseball disciples.
“There’s some research behind it, so I start doing it, and all of the sudden, my exit velocity kept going up,” Iglesias said. “I hit the ball harder, which is one of the things that they’re looking at nowadays. I made the adjustments and the results were there.”
His average exit velocity has gone from 83.8% in 2022, to 86.5% this season. Since getting called up on May 31, Iglesias has hit .388 with a .974 OPS with five doubles and 10 RBI, and gone 8-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
“It’s crazy because he doesn’t fit the computer models and the front office, they don’t like it,” Martinez said. “You call it ‘play computer’ and computer don’t like him. But when you’re with him, he’s a gamer. He’s a good ballplayer. He knows how to put the ball in play. He makes good plays, good defensively, and he just plays the game the right way.”
The Mets appreciate more than the way Iglesias plays the game. After starting the season with Triple-A Syracuse, the 34-year-old endeared himself to his much younger teammates with his positive energy.
Since being promoted in June, Iglesias has galvanized the Mets. A recording artist who releases music under the stage name “Candelita,” his newest single, “OMG,” has become a hit. The Mets had him perform the song at their Home Runs and Highballs charity event last week, and he performed in front of a Citi Field crowd the next night.
“It’s been a special month on and off the field,” Iglesias said.
He’s an easy guy to root for, on and off the field.
“He’s excited to be here but it took him a while,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “He had to fight to get back to the big leagues. Every day that he gets an opportunity to put on a big league uniform means a lot, especially for a guy that has been in this league for a long time. He plays with joy, he brings a lot of energy. He’s excited to be part of this team, and it’s contagious.”
The two played in Detroit and Boston together, and now they’re helping the Mets gain ground in the National League Wild Card race. Martinez has been one of the biggest cheerleaders, dancing right alongside Iglesias and the rest of the team and filming his performance on his phone like a proud parent.
He should be just as proud of the way Iglesias has taken his hitting tips and made them his own.
“I played with J.D. for a long time and we’re very close,” Iglesias said. “He’s always talking hitting, so if I have a hitting question, that’s who I go to.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Martinez returned to the lineup after sitting Tuesday’s game with a sore ankle. He received three pairs of cleats from Adidas, which he thinks will hold him over until the All-Star Break.
Harrison Bader received treatment for his sore neck Wednesday, but was out of the lineup. The Mets hope to be able to use the center fielder off the bench. Bader’s neck tensed up after an awkward collision with the outfield wall Tuesday night.
