Tonight Yoenis Cespedes Plays His 100th Game In Mets Uniform
During the 2013 Home Run Derby, Mets fans got a chance to see Yoenis Cespedes‘ awe inspiring power. During Cespedes’ display of his potencia, he would hit 23 homers to beat Bryce Harper for the title.
On that stage in Citi Field, Cespedes showed himself to have outstanding power. However, it never fully translated to games. In his first three seasons, he only averaged 24 homers and a .464 slugging. He was never Top 10 in the American League in either catergory. His isolated power over those three seasons was a very good .201. However, seeing Cespedes in that home run derby, you just knew that he was capable of more.
Maybe he needed to get out of ballparks like the Oakland Coliseum or Comerica. Maybe he needed to play in a bigger market with a bigger stage. Maybe, just maybe, he just needed to set foot back in Citi Field. Whatever it was, Cespedes is crushing baseballs and the New York Mets have been the biggest benefactor.
As reported by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Cespedes feels comfortable and at home as a member of the Mets. “I’ve said as much as I got here last year, it feels very much like home here.”
His manager Terry Collins agrees saying, “Cespedes wants to play in New York City, and that says a lot, because a lot of guys would shy away from that challenge.”
In just 57 games with the Mets last season, he hit .287/.337/.604 with 17 homers. Extrapolating that over the course of a full 162 game season, Cespedes would’ve hit 48 home runs, which would’ve led the league. And his slugging percentage would’ve been good for second in the league. The .314 isolated power was off the charts good.
The only thing more spectacular than Cespedes’ performance after last year’s trade deadline, is the run he’s on to begin the 2016 season.
Cespedes, 30, is currently hitting .302/.378/.660 with 15 homers in 42 games. He’s leading the majors in both homers and slugging. His .358 isolated power is even better than it was last year. He’s on pace to hit 58 homers.
While these numbers may seem unbelievable and unsustainable, they’re not. This is quickly becoming what is expected from Cespedes – this could just be his new norm. Assistant GM John Ricco agrees. “I hope it’s sustainable. Whether it is or not, we’ll see. But he’s certainly proven over his time with us that he is that level of player.”
Hitting coach Kevin Long it’s all part of the evolution of Cespedes as a hitter. “Its hard to say this and not sound arrogant about a certain player, but he’s getting better. He’s really understanding his self, his swing, his strike zone, what pitches he does more damage on. He’s maturing as a player.”
Cespedes agrees with Long’s statements saying, “You don’t usually seeing someone at this age make adjustments. However, when you meet someone in this league that’s 29 or 30, they’ve probably also been playing longer than the five years that I have. So I think if they feel they need to make adjustments, they probably make them earlier in life.”
With these adjustments, Cespedes has vaulted himself to an elite level and he’s now among the best players in the game. Collins puts it perfectly. “He’s a star. He’s a good player. He does what stars do.”
Cespedes had to come to the Mets to become a star. He had to come to the Mets to unlock his full potential. Cespedes belongs in a Mets uniform. “It feels as if I’ve been playing here a very long time. And I could spend the rest of my life with this team.”
