When Syracuse Mets infielder and former New York Mets mainstay, Ruben Tejada, re-signed with the organization in mid-March, many assumed the move to be just another hope-filled reclamation project that new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has shown such affection for, with a slight pinch of nostalgia, to boot.
Much to the surprise of, well, just about everyone, Tejada, now 29, is on a torrid streak with Triple-A Syracuse, slashing a robust .375/.453/.560 (.431 wOBA, 158 wRC+) over 212 plate appearances with six homers, 14 doubles, 31 RBIs, and just 29 strikeouts (13.3% K-rate).
A .406 BABIP, as well as the often-noted offensive uptick in the International League this season (using major league baseballs will do that, I suppose), says a couple of things. One, this level of production in all likelihood will not last. And two, how long until Tejada forces the Mets’ hand?
He last saw MLB action with Baltimore in 2017 (.265/.230/.293, 124 PA), and hasn’t taken the field as a New York Metropolitan since that fateful October 2015 night when the Dodgers’ Chase Utley broke Tejada’s leg sliding into second base at Citi Field
Over the last two weeks, the Panamanian native is doing quite literally all he can to earn himself another shot in the majors. Since July 1, Tejada’s slashing .432/.500/.636 with two homers, 11 RBIs, three doubles, and nine strikeouts over 50 plate appearances.
This year he’s played 29 of those 50 games at third base (11 at shortstop, 10 at second base), leading some to believe Tejada will have a more well-rounded role than being locked into a spot as the Mets’ backup shortstop.
Adeiny Hechavarria (.235/.264/.422 over 106 PA with the Mets), simply isn’t cutting it if this team — winners of four straight after a sweep in Minnesota — fancies themselves a contender. Not that Ruben Tejada would add that significant of a dynamic either, but a change of pace couldn’t hurt.
Perhaps if/when Van Wagenen finds a trade partner for current Mets’ third baseman, Todd Frazier, we’ll see Tejada hit the active roster as — hypothetically, of course — Jeff McNeil‘s backup at the hot corner.
With the way J.D. Davis has been hitting — 3-for-a-sporadic-15 in July — another option for skipper Mickey Callaway & Co. could be a great way to get Davis back on track. Best 25, right?
With the way things are going in Syracuse, we might see Ruben Tejada entering to a hero’s welcome in Flushing very soon. Again, where he finds playing time is going to be the more difficult question to answer.
