Gregory Guerrero was signed as an international free agent on July 2nd 2015 by the New York Mets for a $1.5 million signing bonus.

Guerrero, 17,  began his professional career with the Domincan Summer League 1 Mets in 2016. During the 2016 season he hit .247/.324/.287 in his first 274 professional at-bats. He also had 10 doubles and 10 stolen bases in his 64 games played.

On defense, the nephew of former Major Leaguer Vladimir Guerrero, played 48 games at shortstop and 14 at third base. We recently ranked him as our number 4 shortstop prospect in the Mets system.

In the interview Guerrero talks about his transition to pro baseball, adjustments and learning process along the way and into the future with the organization.

During the second part of the interview we talked to Matt Hall who works as an agent and an advisor at the Guerrero Academy where Gregory trained before he signed.

MMN – First of all thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

MMN –  Where are you from?  (¿De dónde eres?)

Gregory – Dominican Republic.  (Republica Dominicana)

MMN –  Who are your favorite baseball players?  (Quiénes son tus jugadores favoritos  de béisbol?)

Gregory –  Vladimir Guerrero and José Reyes.  (Vladimir Guerrero y José Reyes)

MMN –  Where are you training now?  (Donde estas entrenando ahora?)

Gregory –  With my uncle, former Major Leaguer Wilton Guerrero.  (Donde mi tio)

MMN – How does it feel to be with the Mets?  (Que se siente al estar con los Mets)

Gregory – It feels great, thank god.  (Se siente Muy bn Gracias a Dios)

MMN – What are you working on to improve?  (En que estas trabajando para mejorar?)

Gregory – I’m working on my speed and hitting breaking pitches.  (Estoy trabajando en mi velocidad y en los Picheos rompiente)

MMN –  What did you think of players in Florida instructional league?

(¿qué piensa de los jugadores en la liga instruccional florida?)

Gregory –  That they are more advanced.  (Que Son mas avanzados)

MMN – What was it like in Dominican Summer League?  (Como era estar en la liga de verano Dominicana?)

Gregory –  It was a year full of experiences. (Que fue un ano de mucha experiencias)

MMN – What have you learned so far as a professional baseball player?

(Que has aprendido hasta ahora como jugador de beisbol professional?)

Gregory – I have learned that no matter how it’s going for me regardless I have to try to do more and be better.

(He aprendido que no importa como me este iendo siempre tengo que dar lo mejor de mi)

MMN –  Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. (Gracias por Tamar el tempo Para hablar con amigo)

Gregory –  You’re welcome (De nada)

Gregory trained at the Guerrero Academy in the Dominican Republic that is ran by his uncle and former major leaguer Wilton Guerrero.

Matt Hall talked to us about some of the intricacies of the academy and young Dominican players.

MMN – What was the signing process like for Gregory? Or in general for players at the Guerrero Academy?

Matt – Just the same as most kids down there. Trained with his uncle Wilton since he was 10 or 11 years old. Try outs for him were more serious when he was 14 and 15 with various teams.

He would do the MLB showcases in DR but mostly it was scouts coming to the Academy to watch him and Vladdy Jr. Many players from the academy don’t sign until after they are 16 and for much larger bonuses so things are up in the air but with big time players you know who is in play pretty early on.

MMN – So would you say that Vlad Jr. helped Gregory get more eyes on him?

Matt – Well Vlad Sr. other nephew Gabby Guerrero was on fire at the time in the minors for the Mariners so that success helped everyone. The name Guerrero carried a lot of weight. I’m sure Vladdy got eyes on him but either way Gregory’s talent would of spoken for itself and gotten him the bonus he deserved. But Gregory just played baseball that was his only focus and let the business be taken care of by his uncle and family, he was just a kid so all he had to worry about was baseball.

MMN – You got to see him when he came to the U.S. for instructional league, what did he say about his first season in pro ball?

Matt – He was just excited to be in the U.S. with his brother in the instructional environment. Lots of fans and media for obvious reason but was a cool experience. Looking forward to his first US season next year. As far as this season happy with his work, just wants to be healthy and get to work.