Michael Paez was the Mets fourth round pick this year from the College World Series Champions, Coastal Carolina University. Paez struggled with the Brooklyn Cyclones after his CWS run hitting .190/.270/.285 in his first pro season. He did hit his first two home runs as a pro this year.

In the interview Paez, talks about his walk-off hit to send his college team to the World Series, his transition to second base and why he struggled to start the season.

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

MMN: The biggest moment of your career so far wasn’t with the Mets organization. You hit a walk-off RBI single to get your college team to the College World Series. Can you relive that moment and tell me how that was? (http://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2016-06-13/ncaa-baseball-paez-walk-earns-coastal-carolina-its-first-college …)

Michael: Yeah sending my team to the college World Series has to be one of my greatest moments in my young career that game wasn’t going really well for me but I knew this is when my team needed me the most.

MMN: You got drafted by the Mets in the 4th round. How did that process go?

Michael: The process getting drafted was simple I really just worried about my college season and let everything else fall into play. I’m blessed that Mets drafted me.

MMN: You struggled to begin your pro career but picked it up later in the season. How did you adjust to the level of pitching and become a better hitter?

Michael: Yeah I struggled in the beginning kind of getting used to a new swing. It wasn’t really the pitching that was overwhelming me it was just getting use to something I never did before. I got used to it in the 2nd half and I finished strong.

MMN: You played short in college with Coastal Carolina, but moved to second for the Cyclones. How did you adjust to the different position and did it impact you at the plate?

Michael: Adjusting to the position really wasn’t to difficult, there is still things I’m getting used to but I feel if you can play short you can play anything. When it comes to affecting me at the plate I feel like that had nothing to do with it. Hitting is hitting and fielding is fielding, I try not to let them connect.

MMN: What are your strengths and what do you have to work on?

Michael: My strengths are that I work hard in everything I do if it’s hitting, fielding, or just asking questions to get better. When it comes to getting better it’s all aspects of the game, I feel like you always have something to get better hitting, fielding, the mental part of the game just everything.

MMN: Some of our writers resemble you with former Met Dilson Herrera. You are both smaller build, but have some power as a second baseman. Do you think we are fair with that comparison? Do you compare yourself to any current MLB player?

Michael: I really don’t know to much about Dilson but if you guys see that you know more than I do haha, but I try to resemble my game over Jose Altuve. He plays hard, he has pop in his bat, and he carries his self the way I feel a baseball players should.

MMN: How do you prepare for next season and do you have any indication where you will play next season?

Michael: I’ll just work hard like I usually do work on every aspect of the game. I don’t really know where I’m going but where ever that is I’ll be ready to get started.

MMN: Final question. What are your goals for next year?

Michael: My goals for next season is hit how I am capable of, not be to hard on myself, and I want to help my team win if it’s not with the bat it’s playing great defense. I just want to contribute to a win every night I’m on the field.

MMN: Thanks for answering our questions and enjoy the offseason. Good luck next year and we are looking forward to watching you play.

Both images courtesy of Ernest Dove