One thing about drafting players is you just never know how their tools will translate to the majors. A player with a big arm may never develop secondary pitches or control, and they fizzle out. A player who hits for power may not have enough to succeed in professional baseball.
That’s where Michael Paez seemed headed. After a terrific collegiate career, capped off with a College World Series title, the Mets drafted the 5’8″ Paez. He was drafted in part due to the power he showed in college. It was unusual power for a player of his stature. It’s rare to see a player of his size hit for power in the majors, but still Paez showed promise.
Last year, it looked like nothing more than promise fueled by aluminum bats. In 46 games for Brooklyn, Paez hit just .190/.270/.285 with 11 doubles, two homers, and 11 RBI.
Well, this is a new year, and Paez is a new player. In just 34 games, he has already surpassed the power numbers he has hit last year. On the season, Paez is hitting .294/.383/.538 with 12 doubles, a triple, five homers, and 23 RBI. Those numbers are more impressive when you consider how Spirit Communications Park, and the South Atlantic League in general, suppress power numbers.
His .538 slugging is seventh in the league and his 12 doubles ranks fourth.
Based upon the first 34 games this year, Paez is fulfilling his power promise. If he really has learned how to translate his collegiate power to professional baseball, the Mets just might have a future major league second baseman in Paez.
I’m definitely surprised by the power Paez has shown this season. I liked the draft pick a lot, but I doubted that the power was going to transfer over to professional ball, considering the aluminum bats used in college and the, I believe, hitter friendly nature of his college park. Very happy to see him playing so well
it’s not rare for players his size to hit for power in majors. Joe Morgan, Jose Altuve, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins are examples. It’s about bat speed, launch angles, mechanics.
Mets farm is loaded with middle infield prospects. Paez joins the others. He’s loaded with energy and spunk – that’s what I saw last season in college after he was drafted. The spunk may set him apart.
Yeah seems we have another Dilson Herrera here, smaller middle infielder with Power. He also seems like a Pedroia gamer type, hopefully not a douche like him. he’s a college bat and if he continues at this rate he will be in Majors within next 2 years
Lets not get our hopes up, nice story for a terrible season so far.