SAN DIEGO Mark Vientos was describing his pregame meditating routine to a reporter this week when J.D. Martinez, on his way back to the visitors clubhouse at Petco Park through the dugout tunnel, stopped for a listen to the conversation. Martinez interjected: Is it meditation or visualizing? Vientos corrected himself to the reporter: Visualizing more than meditation. J.D. Martinez (center) poses with Luis Severino and third baseman Mark Vientos with the OMG sign after belting a two-run homer during the Mets win over the Orioles on Aug. 19, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Such is the relationship that has developed between the Mets teammates this season. The 37-year-old Martinez has a sumed a mentorship role throughout the clubhouse, but especially with the inquisitive Vientos. The two have known each other for several years from their shared South Florida roots they work out at the same facility in the offseason. But the relationship blo somed with Martinezs arrival this season as a free agent and the 24-year-old Vientos ascent as a promising young player. Explore More On team charter flights or bus rides, its often Vientos and Martinez seated side-by-side, with Francisco Lindor nearby, discu sing baseball and life. That education certainly hasnt hurt Vientos on the Zach Brzykcy Jersey field: He took a .282/.339/.557 slash line with 20 homers and 54 RBIs in 80 games into Friday night against the Padres. Im very observant, Vientos said. I dont need to say, Hey, J.D., how do you hit .300 with 40 bombs? I dont do that. I go, Hey, J.D., what were your thoughts when you were my age, on this and that. I take what I think will work for me and leave what I dont think will work for me and that is just how I go about asking questions. Martinez has enjoyed the brotherhood, even when it sometimes means telling Vientos he is asking too many questions. Mark Vientos celebrates after hitting a homer during the Mets win over the Orioles on Aug. 21, 2024. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST He comes to ask me stuff sometimes and I tell him straight up: Im not going to help you right now, Martinez said. Hes like, Why not? Its because you dont need it right now. I will tell you when you need it. You are trying to fix something that doesnt need to be fixed. Thats when you get people in trouble. He doesnt need to be fixed. Hes in a good place. If theres been a special quality to Vientos season its been his ability to avoid a prolonged slump. Consistency has been key his .OPS has ranged between .866 and .917 for each of the months hes been in the major leagues since his recall from Triple-A Syracuse on May 15. J.D. Martinez hits a two-run home run during the first inning of the Mets win over the Orioles on Aug. 19, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Vientos credits sticking to a daily routine that includes the visualizations that Martinez reminded him werent meditation. I am visualizing what can happen in the game, Vientos said. I am trying to see scenarios and things that can happen so when I go out there, its like I have done it before. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Asked about the fact Vientos has managed to avoid a slump, Martinez didnt want to touch the subject. Its a bad omen to talk about that, Martinez said. I will just say that hes got a good rhythm going and hes aware of his swing and he knows what cues work for him. Vientos competed for the starting third base job in spring training, but Brett Baty was selected to the Opening Day roster and Vientos began the season at Syracuse. J.D. Martinez celebrate with Mark Vientos (right) after belting two run home run during the first inning of the Mets win on Aug. 19, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post But with Baty struggling in mid-May, the Mets gave Vientos an opportunity and he hasnt relented. It took him e sentially only a half-season to become the seventh Mets player to hit 20 homers in a season before turning 25. Im extremely happy with myself and proud that I have done it, Vientos said of his season in general. But its not something I didnt think I was capable of doing. Martinez wont take any credit for Vientos emergence, but is enjoying the ride as a big brother. Hes a good kid and has a good personality, Martinez said. We give him a hard time. Frankie [Lindor] and me get on him all the time the good thing is I think we are making him aware of the things that matter. A lot of times you can come up and you are not aware of whats important. I think we are making him aware of the things that matter. Joey Meneses Jersey