David Wright enlightens Brett Baty, Mark Vientos in annual spring training appearance

PORT ST. LUCIE — When it came time for Mark Vientos to choose his jersey number as a kid, he knew exactly what number he would choose: No. 5. The third baseman wore No. 5 for David Wright, his favorite player on his player team.

During his freshman year of high school, he even used Wright’s walk-out song, “I Got 5 on It” by rappers Luniz and Michael Marshall. The song was released in 1995, well before the Mets’ third base prospect was born in 1999, and probably isn’t appropriate for a teenage audience, but it was the song Wright used while walking up to the plate during his career with the Mets.

Vientos had an opportunity to talk to his idol for the second time on Thursday as Wright made his annual spring training appearance as a guest instructor. In addition to Vientos, the Mets also had him speak with their other top third-base prospect, Brett Baty.

Wright came into camp with a favorite.

“I’m not sure if this is true or not or somebody’s trying to make me feel good but Vientos wore five at some point in South Florida,” Wright said Thursday at Clover Field before the Mets’ Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves. “My next question to Baty is, why he didn’t wear five in Texas? Obviously, if I have like a favorite child, it’s Vientos because he wore my number. But both seem like really good dudes.”

The Mets are hoping Wright imparts some knowledge about defensive footwork and workout routines at the ballpark, but the sense of humor would be a bonus.

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Wright’s role with the Mets allows him to come back to the baseball world periodically to meet with sponsors and prospects while still allowing him enough time to coach his kids’ sports teams. Wright and his wife Molly now have three, daughters Olivia and Madison and son Brooks, the latter of whom recently broke a chandelier in the house while playing baseball. Only two, Brooks already has a powerful left-handed swing.

It’s exactly what Wright wants for his post-playing world.

“My main priorities are family and kids,” Wright said. “But any chance I get to get a little slice of baseball, I’m going to jump at it.”

Much has been made about the Mets’ emphasis on the defense of Baty and Vientos, and for good reason. Until last year, the Mets had struggled to find someone who can produce runs and play a high level of defense at third base since, well, Wright himself. Eduardo Escobar has one season remaining on his contract which means the clock is ticking on Baty and Vientos.

But the former Mets’ captain wants to ensure the duo is learning lessons off the field as well. His conversation with Baty and Vientos on Thursday involved playing in the New York market and preparation habits. Coming to Port St. Lucie, Wright knew that the advice he wanted to give them was less about the nuances of baseball and more about the daily practices that are necessary to succeed in baseball.

“The biggest thing I can offer them is work ethic,” Wright said. “Preparations. Being a good teammate, even though they’re young and somewhat un-established. Showing them you can lead by example. You could be one of the first ones here and you can you know show that you want it on the field by the way you work.”

These were lessons Wright himself learned watching veterans at spring training.

“I learned so much my first spring training,” Wright said. “I was 18-years-old and I remember Mike Piazza on the backfield at 7:30 in the morning working on this throwing. This guy is obviously one of the best ever do it but that always stuck with me.”

Wright plans to return to Citi Field for the first time since his final game this summer when he hosts the NYPD vs. NYFD baseball game. He’s somewhat relieved that the Mets aren’t hosting an old-timers game this year, saying he doesn’t feel that old yet. At 40, he’s the same age as Justin Verlander, who he used to face growing up in Virginia.

“He makes 40 look better than I do,” Wright said.

Still part of the Mets’ family, Wright is helping influence the next generation of Mets. They may not be wearing his old number and they’re happy to leave the song to him, but Baty and Vientos are equally eager to hear what he has to say.

“If he’s around, I’m definitely going to be picking his brain,” Baty said. “That’s one thing I told him — I want to learn as much as I can from him because he’s probably the best third baseman to come through the New York Mets organization. I want to learn as much as I can from him.”