Recently acquired Yoenis Cespedes is known for his bat and speed but is also quite an adept defender in the outfield.
According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, a day after Cespedes told manager Terry Collins he prefers center field to a corner spot, the new Mets outfielder got his wish.
Cespedes started in center field for the Mets on Sunday night against the Washington Nationals and showed off his solid range on a ball veering over his head and to his right while displaying solid instincts for the position.
Cespedes has appeared in 75 major league games in center field previously and it was his primary position in his native Cuba, but last night was his first time in CF in 2015.
“I’m pretty confident,” Collins said about Cespedes’ center-field proficiency. “I mean, he was pretty adamant that he could play center field when I asked him about it.”
As for Curtis Granderson, who was expected to inherit the majority of playing time in CF, he told Terry Collins he doesn’t have a preference between center field and right field.
According to the Mets manager, Cespedes will likely start in center when facing right-handed pitching and will shift to left when Juan Lagares against left-handed starters.
Granderson has played a solid right field this season so it looks like the versatility that Cespedes affords the team will pay off in the outfield alignment moving forward.
Hey… Everything’s coming up Mets….
