Amazin’ Avenue‘s Chris McShane recently spoke with Paul DePodesta, the Mets’ Vice President of Player Development and Amateur Scouting, about how the Mets’ minor league system doesn’t appear to be nearly as lopsided as it once was.
The Mets have a good amount of highly touted young pitchers as well as a group of minor league position players who are very close to contributing with the big club.
DePodesta knows that recent signings and trades have put the Mets in a great position with their prospects, ”A lot of things went well for us, position player-wise,” he says.
Out of the many prospects that make up the Mets minor leagues, Cesar Puello is one player that has helped to change the makeup of the organization from being weak in talent, to one of the top systems in all of baseball.
DePodesta raves about Puello and all that he will be capable of in 2014, ”He’s always run, he’s always had power, he could always throw, but he finally started hitting. He just had a much better approach at the plate. We’re anxious to see that happen again in 2014 because if he does continue to do that again, he has all the tools to be a very productive player, even at the highest level.”
Puello’s season was cut short after he was suspended for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal that rocked baseball last summer. But prior to his departure he was batting .326/.403/.547 with 21 doubles, 16 home runs, 73 RBI, and 24 stolen bases in 377 plate appearances.
Now with the suspension behind him, Puello works towards showing everyone that the great numbers he showcased in 2013, were not a fluke and are something that he will continue to build on. And from the looks of it, he also has the full support of the Mets. Can’t wait to see him take another step in his development as he moves ever so closer to his major league debut.
(Photo: Howard Simmons, Daily News)
