Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 5’11/165

Acquired: NDFA 7/11/06

Born: 10/27/89

2010 Rank: 11

Why Ranked Here: He’s a defensive whiz who can play short or second, and be an asset doing either.   The question is purely whether he’ll hit enough to play everyday.  He’s a little guy, who will never hit for much power.  However, he’s gotten stronger in the last few years as he’s filled out, despite still being shy of his 22^nd birthday.  He’s shown an ability to make contact at the higher levels and did walk in almost 9% of his Major League plate appearances.  Great defense, contact and patience sound like a potentially very valuable middle-infielder.

2010: Tejada broke camp with the Mets while Jose Reyes worked to return from his thyroid issue, although he only saw action in three games.  Tejada was dispatched to Buffalo where he stayed until the first week of June.  He played second base nearly everyday for a month and a half but didn’t hit and was returned to Buffalo hitting .212/.297/.250 in the third week of July.  This time, his stay in AAA lasted barely two weeks.  Tejada finished the season very strongly, long after many Mets fans had turned their attention to the Jets and Giants, hitting .281/.354/.439 in 23 games in September with six doubles and his first MLB home run.

Dr. Pangloss Says: If he could replicate his September line, with his plus defense, he’d be an all-star.

Debbie Downer Says: But Dr., that’s a small sample size, he hit .213 in his rookie season.

Projected 2011 Start: Buffalo

MLB Arrival: 2010.  Permanently: 2012