Weekly Check In: Jorge Mateo

After the New York Yankees drafted defensive-minded shortstop Kyle Holder with the 30^th pick overall in the MLB First Year Player’s Draft the fans were left wondering why. Why would New York draft another slick fielding shortstop who could or couldn’t have “elite” defense when they already have the likes of Didi Gregorius, Brendan Ryan, Stephen Drew, Abi Avelino, Tyler Wade, Ali Castillo and the top shortstop prospect of them all Jorge Mateo. While the Yankees brass, mainly Damon Oppenheimer, were quick to defend their pick of Holder and his offensive abilities you have to wonder what the team really thinks of Mateo and his ability to swing the bat.

Mateo can pick the ball and Mateo can take his walks, run the bases and steal said bases but whether Mateo can swing the bat enough has always been and will always be the biggest question surrounding him. When you look at the stat line you may think that he isn’t hitting that bad or that he’s hitting like an average MLB shortstop but you have to consider what level he’s hitting at. It’s only going to get tougher from here although he is only going to get older, more mature and fill out more from here as well and I totally understand that.

I’m not down on Mateo, not at all, but I am trying to temper expectations a bit for the young man. He’s not going to be ready this year, next year or the next and he may never be more than what we currently have in Didi Gregorius. I am hopeful for more and I think the team can get more out of a young Mateo but if they don’t that has to be okay too. 

Year	Lev	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2015	A	53	227	26	53	6	5	2	22	39	9	16	48	.259	.314	.366	.680

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table