; ;

Cesar Puello Had a Historic Month of June

By Former Writers

July 1, 2013 11 Comments

cesar puello

We all knew Cesar Puello was having a ridiculous month of June, but how good did it end up, now that the calendar has flipped to July? He put together a .441/.465/.897 line, good enough for a 1.362 OPS in 68 at-bats. This amazing 17 game stretch has yielded him a 1.013 OPS in 232 at-bats this season, which leads me to this…

Yea.

It’s safe to say that other people have taken notice of the fantastic 2013 campaign Puello has put together. He’s been under speculation about the ongoing biogenesis scandal and investigation, but he hasn’t let that distract him on the field. He’s now hitting .336/.401/.612 on the year, with 15 home runs, 55 RBIs, 51 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases for what could be considered the best team in Binghamton franchise history.

Puello’s performance has been a big reason why the B-Mets have already reached the 50-win plateau prior to July 1st. Outside of a minor injury in the middle of June, he’s been able to stay healthy and remain in the lineup virtually every night.

In looking at his season splits, there is no weakness in the slugging outfielder’s game in 2013. He’s virtually hitting just as well during the day (.344 BA) as he is at night (.333 BA), and he’s capitalized when he’s comes to the plate with runners in scoring position (.347 BA, 37 RBIs in 72 at-bats).

What jumped off the page at me is what he’s done against left-handed pitching this season. While most of his at-bats and production has come against right-handers (173 of 232 ABs), Puello has torn up southpaws in 59 at-bats. He’s currently hitting .458/.508/.966 with eight home runs and 21 RBIs. Talk about being a game-changer in the middle of a lineup! When an opposing manager has a lefty on the mound late in the game with Puello coming up, you better believe he’ll have to make a move to the bullpen to keep the contest close.

All in all, Puello is having a fantastic season. He’s finally been able to perform the way scouts projected him to, and he’s using all the tools he has to be successful. While we found out last week that a promotion to Triple-A may not be imminent for him, I personally don’t think sending Puello to Vegas will do anything. If he continues to hit the way he’s hit over the last month, this Eastern League All-Star deserves a September call-up, at the very least. Going to the hitter-friendly PCL isn’t going to change anyone’s opinion on him.

Results of the biogenesis investigation and any potential suspension coming his way could throw a wrench into those plans, but he’s currently on the Mets 40-man roster. If given the chance, New York needs to promote Puello to see what potential he has at the big league level before the 2013 season is over.

Do you think the Mets should promote Puello straight from Binghamton, or would you like to see him hit in Triple-A first?

(photo courtesy of Gordon Donovan)

Latest Comments
  1. ROTK
  2. Sach
  3. Matt Musico
  4. Matt Musico
  5. Sach
  6. Joe Gomes
  7. ROTK
  8. cmckearney
  9. ROTK
  10. Metlosopher
  11. mike