Sunday, February 19, 2017

Meet a Prospect: Jorge Mateo


The New York Yankees went out and signed a relatively unknown international free agent back in 2012 for a mere $250,000 and boy was that one of the greatest decisions the team and organization ever made. Mateo has grown from an international free agent that the Yankees signed out of the Dominican Republic to the top prospect in the entire organization according to many prospects lists released last winter before becoming the underdog here as we inch towards the 2017 season.

Mateo makes he way on the basepaths as the Yankees top shortstop prospect stole 82 bases in 2015 in 99 attempts. While Mateo is described as having "nervous feet" at shortstop he has the ability, the arm strength and the range to play either short, third base or second base in the future. New York even had Mateo work out at second base in the Instructional League as the team decides where Mateo will play in the future. At the moment Didi Gregorius is the shortstop of the present and the future in the Bronx so Mateo will either have to force at bats with the organization, move positions or become trade bait.

Jorge Mateo
6'0" - 188 lbs. - shortstop and DH

YearTmGPARH2B3BHRRBISBBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
2012Yankees 214691514211841211.255.382.382.764
2013Yankees 164299507496726493452.287.378.450.828
2014Yankees 115651416510111717.276.354.397.750
20152 Teams117500661252311240824398.278.345.392.737
2015Charleston964095198188233713680.268.338.378.716
2015Tampa21911527530711718.321.374.452.826
All Levels (4 Seasons)2109331452293919107514696178.279.359.410.769
FRk (2 seasons)783686588117834534663.281.379.438.816
Mateo broke out in 2015 which caused him to have all the eyes of the organization on him in 2016. For some that's a good thing, some players thrive off the pressure and attention, while for some they can be their own worst enemies. Unfortunately for Mateo it seems like he was the latter as he struggled for much of last season but in 2017 Mateo will be back to being that kid that can just have fun again, and that may be the best thing not only for Mateo but for the Yankees as well.

2 comments:

  1. I have heard some say that his future may lie in centerfield. Regardless of where he ends up, I hope that he has his head on straight this year and can restore the confidence that he is a premier prospect. Hopefully the positive attitude and high professionalism that Gleyber Torres exudes is rubbing off on Mateo.

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  2. Sometimes, players with the talent Mateo has makes things so easy for them at the lower levels, they forget to work on their game as they MUST! As they climb up the steps to the Show, they think they are better than they are. Remember when he tried to steal bases in the big show, I think he was cut down over 50% of the time, he didn't think he needed to work on reading the pitcher...one steals on the pitcher (most of the time)...he thought he was fast enough to steal on speed alone, not really Mateo!
    IF he works hard he can be a big help to the team, he has talent..."Speed, Kills" as said by me and others back in the 40's.

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