Lost in the thrill and excitement of the dramatic three-run homer by Daniel Murphy, was the booming double by Juan Lagares to get that ninth inning started. It was a huge moment that ignited what was to ensue.
Lagares was down 0-2 in the count versus Marlins close Steve Cishek, but he battled back to 2-2 in the count, fouling off a couple of tough sliders before finally ripping another Cishek slider for a leadoff double over the head of Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna.
Mark Simon of ESPN New York pointed out how Lagares has improved as a situational hitter against right-handed pitching and also in two-strike counts.
Lagares has been up and down in two-strike situations this season, but he’s done a much better job in those situations over the last several days with 5 hits in 7 two-strike counts. Three of those hits came on Saturday’s 8-2 blowout win over the crosstown rival Yankees.
Here’s what Simon wrote:
“One of the biggest areas in which Lagares had room for growth was in his hitting against right-handed pitchers such as Cishek, against whom he was previously 0-for-4. He hit .243 and .264 against right-handed pitching in his first two seasons.”
“It’s very early, but Lagares has shown some initial promise in that regard, particularly against breaking pitches, like that slider Cishek threw.”
Lagares it .389 with 21 hits over the last 14 games and has raised his average to .319 on the season with 12 runs scored.
That’s a good sign of Lagares continually developing as a hitter. We all know how great Juan is in the outfield, but there’s been some great indications of him potentially becoming a very good hitter as well in the future.
Over the last couple weeks, Lagares has shown more patience and he’s reduced his strike zone considerably, as Keith Hernandez pointed out last night.
“He’s no longer flailing at those out of zone pitches and I love how he concentrates with two strikes and puts the ball in play. You do that and things happen – especially with his speed. This young man is quickly becoming a great all-around player, right before our very eyes.”
It has been so exciting to watch Lagares develop. If he keeps this up and continues hitting those tough right-handed pitches, especially the breaking balls, then it won’t be long before he becomes a complete player and even a future All-Star as Joe D. has been saying for two years.
