by Marc Hefferan
*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
OF Juan Lagares, Double-A Binghamton (NYM)
season stats: .349 BA, 7 HR, 51 RBI, 17 2B, 7 3B, 21 BB, 47 K, 5 SB in 85 games (AA/HiA)
July 20-July 26: 13-for-27, HR, 5 RBI, 3 2B, 3B
First off, I want to welcome back the National Football League. I was amongst the masses of worried fans and fantasy junkies dreading the possibility of what baseball's off-season would be like without professional football. I say "baseball's off-season" because despite the fact that the NFL has become America’s favorite sport, I still don't think football can compete with our National Pastime. I posted on Twitter earlier in the week that the NFL beginning its frenzy during the same week of Major League Baseball’s trade deadline could very well equate to 2011's most exciting week in sports. And no one has ignited the excitement of the trade deadline news and rumors more than New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, who is reportedly heading to the San Francisco Giants. Trading the six-time All-Star is certain to leave a gaping hole on the right side of the outfield at Citi Field. In parallel with Beltran’s pending departure this week, in almost audition-like fashion, several Mets minor league outfielders seem to have simultaneously awakened from a season-long slumber. But no bat appeared more prevalent than this week’s UTR pick. By the same token, no Mets outfield prospect has seen their stock rise more this season than Lagares.
When the Mets signed Lagares out of the Dominican Republic in 2006, he was a toolsy shortstop with great range, fringy bat, and raw tools. Early in his career, the 6’1 Lagares saw a multitude of injuries begin to pile up. Most of 2008-09 were lost with shoulder injuries and he played in only 100 games last year. Finally healthy in 2011, the 22 year-old hit .339 in 81 games at Hi-A St Lucie before a recent promotion to Double-A Binghamton. Combined between the two leagues, Lagares is 13 for his last 27 and has hit safely in 12 straight games. Even more impressive, he has hit safely in 37 of his last 42 games. A great athlete with game speed and exceptional defense, Lagares isn’t defying logic by improving his game as he climbs the ladder to the big leagues. He’s proving that grit through injuries combined with the Mets' loyalty to a player with great skills is paying nice dividends.
Honorable Mentions
1B Donald Lutz, Lo-A Dayton (CIN): .276 BA, 16 HR, 43 RBI, 17 2B, 24 BB, 93 K in 85 games; 12-for-21, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 2B in last week
OF Kent Matthes, Hi-A Modesto (COL): .329 BA, 21 HR, 83 RBI, 36 2B, 3 3B, 20 BB, 76 K, 5 SB in 86 games; 11-for-25, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 3 2B, 3B in last week
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UTR Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
UTR Minor League AL Performances of the Week
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
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