Juan Lagares: 6′ 1″, 180lbs  DOB- 3/17/1989

Coming into the 2011 season, Mets outfield prospect Juan Lagares was not exactly considered an upper echelon prospect.  Oh what a difference a year makes.  With a dynamite season, Lagares has pushed his name into the mix as one of the organization’s best outfield prospects.

The Numbers

The 22-year old Lagares was leading the Florida State League in hitting (.338) when he was promoted to AA-Binghamton.  Lagares had no trouble handling AA pitching as he ranked second in the Eastern League (AA) in hitting after his promotion (7/23-9/5).

His season batting average of .349 ranked Lagares fourth in all of Minor League baseball (full-season teams only).  While the high batting average is very impressive, it was fueled by an unsustainably high BABIP (batting average for balls in play).  For more insight on BABIP read this, via Fangraphs.  While his BABIP is through the roof, there is something to be said for a hitter than can square up the baseball on a consistent basis, and that is what Lagares can do.

Here is what I saw from Lagares:

• Good athlete, solid frame.  Has not matured physically yet, still room for muscular development.
• Solid defender, a tick above average throwing arm.  Profiles more as a left-fielder.
• A slightly above average runner, not a burner.  Can still a base if necessary (15 SB in 2011).
• Ultra aggressive approach at the plate.  In attack mode at all times, although he did not swing at many bad pitches.
• Generates good bat speed with sound hitting mechanics.  Keeps things very simple: load the hands, transfer weight to the back side then let the hands go free.
• Strong top hand hitter.  Does not generate consistent backspin to drive the ball out of the ballpark.  Line drive hitter that uses the whole field well.
• Puts the barrel on the baseball consistently, making a lot of solid hard contact.
• Lacks raw power for a corner outfielder.

Overall I was very impressed with Lagares.  He showed the ability to make solid contact against much older and advanced pitching.  While Lagares doesn’t walk very much, he did not really expand the zone very often.  He gets into trouble at the plate when his front foot strides a bit long, leaving him a bit off balance.  Other than that, Lagares displays solid hitting mechanics and a fluid swing.

Defensively, Lagares can play both left and right field, and also is a good enough athlete to play some center-field in a pinch.  While Lagares would not be a liability in centerfield, he is not an everyday centerfield type mainly due to lack of foot speed.  Lagares shows good instincts in the outfield to go along with smooth clean actions.

Lagares does not fit the mold of a starting corner outfielder in the big leagues (on a championship type team).  His lack of power is the biggest reason for this.  Lagares would need to hit a ton in order to make up for the lack of power to be an everyday corner outfielder.  The closest comparison I can see Lagares becoming is perhaps a Jose Tabata type.

Lagares looks the part of a solid fourth outfield type.  His ability to play all three outfield positions to go with his ability to hit, gives Lagares a chance to be a future solid bench contributor to the Mets organization.