Bat/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’1” 175

Acquired: NDFA, signed 5/5/06

Born: 3/17/89, Constanza, DR

Why ranked here: The Mets liked Lagares enough to have him start the US portion of his baseball career as an 18-year old in the SAL in 2007. Time is still on Lagares’ side as he’ll open 2009 at the tender age of 20. Lagares has held his own at shortstop showing a more than adequate arm, but scouts were not convinced that he would have the range to stay at SS as he ages and fills out. If he’s forced to move, he will have a chance to make a strong defender at second or third.

2008: Lagares’ 2008 began late because of an arm injury. Assigned to Savannah, he improved on his batting average from 2007, but, at age 19, did not hit for any more power nor did he draw anymore walks than he did the year before at age 18. In the middle of August, the Mets moved Lagares down to Brooklyn, where he had nearly the same number of doubles as he did in the SAL in fewer than half the AB. Moreover, Lagares played at third for the first time as a professional. He committed four errors in five games at the hot corner.

Dr. Pangloss Says: Lagares takes to thirdbase in 2009 and learns how to drive the ball on his way to becoming an average MLB 3B in a few years’ time.

On the Flipside: Lagares might just never hit enough to become a valuable MLB piece.

Projected 2009 start: I have no idea. In 2007, the Mets jumped Lagares from the DSL over the GCL, APP, and the NYP straight to full-season ball in the SAL where he has struggled over the last two seasons. He’s done little to merit a promotion to St. Lucie, but sending him back to the SAL for the third straight year might be demoralizing. Keeping him in extended spring training and assigning him to Brooklyn to enjoy a summer in Keyspan Park could also be an option.