31
2013
Prospect Pulse: Analyzing Outfielder Juan Lagares
An article by 
Player Name: Juan Lagares
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6’1” Weight: 175 lb.
Position: Outfield
Age: 23 (turns 24 in March)
MMO Top Prospect Ranking: 21
ETA: 2014/2015
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the prospects that will be joining the Mets in spring training as members of the 40-man roster. We are starting it off with Juan Lagares.
Background:
Lagares is what most would consider an under the radar type of prospect. You won’t find him on any top prospect lists, but after a very solid 2011 season, Lagares put himself on the map in the Mets organization. He split time in 2011 between Binghamton and St. Lucie and put up some pretty impressive numbers. In 470 at bats, he compiled a .338 batting average, hit 9 home runs, added 71 RBI, swiped 15 bases and finished with a .383 OBP. Yeah, that will turn some heads. His 2012 season took a bit of a dip, but he still put up some solid numbers.
Most analysts project Lagares as a left fielder, although he could probably play any of the three outfield positions. He has a nice athletic build, but seeing as he is turning 24, he probably won’t fill out much more (current weight is 175 lb.). That will limit his power numbers, but he still probably has the potential to be a 10-15 home run type of guy. Most believe his power numbers will limit him to a fourth outfielder role some day.
Analysis:
I’ve come across some scouting reports on Lagares’ hitting mechanics that have said he is ultra-aggressive at the plate. This is a cause of concern considering he isn’t much of a power guy. Lagares is a guy that has the potential to steal 20-25 bases in a season, so his goal should be to get on base as much as possible and to be ultra-patient at the plate.
After viewing the video on Lagares batting practice session above, a couple of things jumped out at me. Lagares opens his hips up slightly early, which is a tell-tale sign of over-aggressiveness at the plate. When I slowed down the video, it was very evident (not so easy to pick up during live speed). He should work on keeping his hips closed and allow the pitch to get closer to him which will make him a better overall hitter. If I were I pitcher I would pepper him with off-speed stuff on the outside half of the plate because that is probably his “cold zone.” You can actually see on the fourth or fifth pitch in his BP session how off-balance he was on an outside pitch. That is a pitch he should be driving to right-centerfield. By keeping his hips closed longer, it will allow him to drive the outside pitch, instead of taking defensive swings and fighting them off.
It also seemed like the bat head dragged through the zone. Lagares should be throwing his hands through the zone straight to the ball. Imagine a lumberjack chopping at a tree, which we don’t see with Lagares’ swing. This may not necessarily be an issue, and could just be the fact that he was trying to generate more power to put on a little show during batting practice. But his swing didn’t look very crisp in this particular BP session.
SNY took a look at Lagares last September on their Mets Minor League Report. Here is what Lagares’ coaches said about him:
It was nice to hear Binghamton manager Pedro Lopez say that Lagares can go as far as he wants to go. He also added that he believed Lagares was the best defensive centerfielder in the league last season. Lopez also stated that 2011 was a “Cinderella Season” for Lagares, and he had to live up to very lofty expectations in 2012. He may have fallen a tad short of expectation in 2012, but Lagares has a bright future. If he continues to work hard, maybe he can surpass the expectations that he will just be a fourth outfielder someday. Pedro Lopez seems to think he can. Depending on how he performs this spring, expect Lagares to begin 2013 with Triple-A Las Vegas.
About the Author: Mitch Petanick
15 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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Sounds like Lopez is as excited about Lagares as Backman was about Harvey. It’s always a good thing when the manager speaks like that about a specific player. He definitely fell off as you point out, but only two years ago everyone was drooling over Lagares. 2013 will be his big test.
I agree that 2013 will be a tell-tale season for Lagares. I tend to be a Lagares believer, as he absolutely tore the cover off the ball in 2011 and rebounded in 2012 once he found his comfort zone.
He’s a natural outfielder and, by analogy, reminds me of Jeff Keppinger. I recall in 2004 or so, Keppinger hit .340 and everyone said he was limited defensively, didn’t have any pop in his bat, etc… He’s had a fine major league career. When I saw Keppinger play, I didn’t see any of the defensive deficits that others were talking about. He appeared sure-handed and anticipated well, but wasn’t producing web gems like his weak-hitting counterpart, Anderson Hernandez.
I consider Lagares in the same vein. He’s a smooth, if unspectacular ball player that will extend innings with his bat, and make key defensive plays in the outfield. Over time, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him with a .300 avg., 30+ doubles, 5+ triples, and 10-15 homers with an OPS that scrapes .800. Take those numbers and add effective base running and solid defensive play, and you’ve got yourself a solid MLB outfielder.
That’s my 2 cents on Lagares.
Jordanny Valdespin Part II? What do you think?
Good comparison…I think Valdespin provides more upside with tools and versatility though.
Lagares must have the edge defensively though.
Their temperaments are entirely different. Lagares is more like Alfonzo, Valdespin his more like… like.. like..
Willie Mays Hayes!!!
WTF?
thats like calling Matt Den Dekker the next Josh Thole
This is the guy that, if he had taken another step up in 2012 after his big 2011, would certainly have changed the dynamic of the 2013 OF discussion. Though he still could end up being a part of it at some point, especially if they can get those minor mechanical tweaks made (assuming the team wants to).
but the guy does seem to have a bunch of talent.
This is the kind of analysis I wish I saw more often on other Mets fan sites that will go unnamed, but which frequently recycle posts endlessly with bad proofreading. I´ve recently discovered Mesmerized, and it´s a breath of fresh air.
Thanks for reading, Dave. Plenty more where this came from so keep checking back.
Agreed. Mitch – really nice analysis.
Last year in spring training, he didn’t do so well, although he hit a lot of balls foul really, really hard. One thing I noticed was that he appeared a little too busy in the batter’s box while during the pitcher’s wind-up.
One other thing I noticed was that he has a “tall” batting stance. I thought that if he shifted his weight back just a little, “sat back” just a bit, he would quiet down in the batters box and be able to use his legs a little more to drive the ball.
But he really appears to have natural skills, which will become more prominent as he matures physically, like when he’s 27, 28, etc… I’m really looking forward to seeing him at the ML level.
Thanks Tommy…the kid definitely has potential.
I’ve watched Lagares in Binghamton for the past two seasons. He may not have the same raw potential as Jordanny but he is more solid in attitude and approach to the game. Lagares is a sold defensive outfielder and good contact hitter. He runs fairly well, too, but I’m not sure how that would play out in the big leagues.
About the prospects…
Since the Mets haven’t spent money really since 2009, think about where they’d be if Sandy didn’t trade Beltran and Dickey…
This year, they’d have RA, and a great rotation, but nothing on the horizon to point at and say there’s a chance they’ll win consistently any time soon. They sure weren’t going to resign Carlos.
Now, they don’t have RA, but the rotation is surely not the weakness of this team and they have 2 of the top 10 prospects in the game. One is the best catching prospect in the game and the other is a future ace…hopefully.
Also, they got another future ace in Syndergaard who placed within the top 30 prospects in the game.
Without those two trades, when mlb’s top 100 prospects came out, they wouldn’t have had a single player on it. There would be zero hope for the future.
Now, imagine Aldy actually drafted the best players available in the last two first rounds.
Maybe I’m mistaken by this video, but there is no way! (unless this guy has 1% body fat), there is no way this guy is less than 195- 200 lb. That is not 175 pounds, not even close