Juan Lagares is smoking the ball for Las Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League.
Last night, Lagares extended his hitting streak to seven straight games going 2-for-4 to raise his batting average to an even .400 in 60 at-bats with 24 hits, seven runs scored, eight runs batted in and a .853 OPS.
The Dominican native has hit in 12 of his last 13 games and has an incredible ten hits in his last twenty at-bats.
Lagares is batting third in the lineup and it seems to suit him well as he continues to drive the ball to all fields, make solid contact, and produce runs.
The Mets have said they are very comfortable with Lagares as their everyday center fielder and some in the organization expect him to have a breakthrough season in 2014.
Thoughts from David C.
Just another reason to be excited about the 2014 season. Not only did he just have a great defensive season, but he is gearing up to possibly have a very good offensive year which will hopefully keep him in the lineup everyday. I am very encouraged that he is using his time in the Dominican Winter League to work on his game and be ready for 2014.
(Photo Credit – Brian Kersey/Getty Images)
Lagares hit .350 in 2011, so this spurt is not surprising. Considering his superior fielding and gun for an arm, he could turn into “Roberto Clemente light.”. I get it right once in a while…I was one of the rare few who thought when they signed him that Marlon Byrd could have a big year after a strong winter league performance last year
I am a big fan of both Juan Lagares and Matt den Dekker. It takes a little time to get accustomed to major league pitching. Both of these players have the potential to be all-stars and I would never get a free-agent outfielder this year. Let’s see what they can do.
BTW, there once was a player who played a full season as a rookie and hit something like .190. Did his club give up on him? No. The guy’s name — Mike Schmidt.