When the Mets saw their starting infield and their new catcher depart for the World Baseball Classic, manager Buck Showalter’s main focus was on getting them all back in one piece.

But Showalter and general manager Billy Eppler also saw an upside to the departures of stars such as Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil (USA), Francisco Lindor (Puerto Rico) and Omar Narvaez and Eduardo Escobar (Venezuela): It would let them get an even better look at some of the organization’s top prospects.

Though infielders Brett Baty, Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio, along with catcher Francisco Alvarez, each got plenty of playing time in the early stages of spring training, Eppler said recently in Port St. Lucie, “The silver lining of the WBC is it gives them an opportunity to show what they can do, especially as opposing pitchers get deeper into their arsenals.’’

So let’s take a look at how the four young players — who may have an impact on 2023 — have done in the week-plus since rosters changed.

Brett Baty

The 23-year-old third baseman made waves in early Grapefruit League games, coming out of the gate by going 6-for-11. Leaning on Alonso, who sits in a nearby locker in the home clubhouse at Clover Park, Baty picked up what he could from the All-Star first baseman before he left. Since then, Baty has gone 5-for-15 after an 0-for-3 in Tuesday’s game.

“He looks like he could belong right now,” said one National League scout who’s seen Baty throughout the spring. “Just have to keep an eye on the glove.”

Baty has made three errors at third base, but also made a handful of strong defensive plays.

Opposing scouts aren’t the only ones paying attention to Baty’s defense — and that of his fellow Mets prospects.

“On the defensive side, we’re constantly evaluating,’’ Eppler said. “Even if the ball isn’t hit to them, what are they doing pre-pitch? We want to see how they react to different plays.”

Scouts have noted that Baty does better on plays where he doesn’t have to think much, but Baty has been working closely with infield coach Joey Cora and there remains room for growth.

Ronny Mauricio

Much like Baty, Mauricio made headlines even before the stars left Port St. Lucie. He hit three homers in his first seven at-bats. Unlike Baty, though, Mauricio’s success at the plate has not continued of late.

The shortstop, who turns 22 next month, is 3-for-18 with five strikeouts in seven games since most of the Mets stars departed.

But he hit another home run measured at an estimated 452 feet on Sunday, and his switch-hitting prowess has some wondering whether he will make good on his comments from earlier in the spring, when he said he wanted to make the major league team on Opening Day.

“He’s still raw, so it’s hard to see how that happens, but that power will play,’’ an American League scout said.

Mark Vientos

Vientos has impressed on a variety of fronts. He had a pair of three-hit games in the past week, including two homers and a double.

And he’s shown an ability — and willingness — to try out different positions. On Tuesday, he made a nice play at first base, scooping a low-and-wide throw after Baty made a great stop at third.

“Baty and Vientos are close [to being ready], and the more you see them, the more they stand out,’’ said the NL scout, who noted Vientos has made perhaps the most consistent hard contact of any of the young hitters in the group this spring.

Francisco Alvarez

Alvarez, like Baty, got his first taste of the majors late last season. But he hasn’t found his swing yet this spring, picking up three singles in his past 13 at-bats after an 0-for-8 start. More importantly, though, Alvarez has looked healthy behind the plate after offseason ankle surgery.

“We all know he’s gonna hit,’’ said another AL scout. “And they don’t need to rush him. Getting this time [at catcher this spring] is only gonna help him this season.”

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Aaron Rodgers doesn’t seem so much like the Jets’ future QB as their current Wizard of Oz.

There are plenty of signs pointing towards Rodgers being shipped from Green Bay to MetLife Stadium, but even before that’s happened, the Jets are catering to Rodgers’ every desire — or at least most of them.

The Jets agreed Tuesday to sign former Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract. They also have shown interest in another longtime Rodgers favorite, Randall Cobb, and Rodgers’ influence was apparent as tight end Marcedes Lewis’ name circulated, too.

Those players would be reunited with former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who took the same job with the Jets after failing to survive one season as head coach of the Broncos.

And according to ESPN, Rodgers has provided a “wish list” to the Jets that also includes Odell Beckham Jr.

Even Brett Favre wasn’t this demanding when he orchestrated his move to the Jets from the Packers in 2008.

The men’s NCAA tournament continues Wednesday night with two more First Four games. Here’s an exclusive preview of the betting picks from college basketball expert Howie Hoops:

Fairleigh Dickinson (+2.5) over Texas Southern … 6:40 p.m. ET, truTV

Arizona State (-2.5) over Nevada … 9:10 p.m. ET, truTV

The Giants got Daniel Jones a much-needed weapon, pulling off a trade Tuesday with the Raiders for tight end Darren Waller.

But the fact that the 30-year-old Waller only cost the Giants a third-round draft pick — the pick they acquired during the season from Kansas City in the Kadarius Toney trade — is notable.

Are they getting the player who was Pro Bowl-caliber in 2019 and 2020 or the one who has struggled to stay on the field the past two years?

Waller played in just 18 games in his first two seasons with Baltimore, missed the entire 2017 season and made just four appearances in his first year as a Raider in 2018, mostly due to multiple violations of the NFL’s drug policy.

In 2019, in recovery from his addiction issues, the 6-foot-6 Waller emerged as one of the top tight ends in the league, starting all 16 games and finishing the season with 90 catches for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns.

He appeared in all 16 games again the following year and set career highs with 107 catches for 1,196 yards and nine TDs.

Back and knee injuries limited Waller to 11 games in 2021, and hamstring woes hampered him throughout last season. He finished with just 28 catches for 388 yards in nine games and spent a chunk of the season on injured reserve.

Still, when Waller is on the field, he’ll give Jones a massive target.

Saquon Barkley and wide receiver Richie James led the team with 57 receptions apiece last season, and promising rookie Daniel Bellinger led Giants tight ends with 30 catches.

Now they add Waller, who is under contract for four more years.