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
| Year | Tm | G | PA | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Yankees 2 | 14 | 69 | 15 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 11 | .255 | .382 | .382 | .764 |
| 2013 | Yankees 1 | 64 | 299 | 50 | 74 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 26 | 49 | 34 | 52 | .287 | .378 | .450 | .828 |
| 2014 | Yankees 1 | 15 | 65 | 14 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 17 | .276 | .354 | .397 | .750 |
| 2015 | 2 Teams | 117 | 500 | 66 | 125 | 23 | 11 | 2 | 40 | 82 | 43 | 98 | .278 | .345 | .392 | .737 |
| 2015 | Charleston | 96 | 409 | 51 | 98 | 18 | 8 | 2 | 33 | 71 | 36 | 80 | .268 | .338 | .378 | .716 |
| 2015 | Tampa | 21 | 91 | 15 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 18 | .321 | .374 | .452 | .826 |
| All Levels (4 Seasons) | 210 | 933 | 145 | 229 | 39 | 19 | 10 | 75 | 146 | 96 | 178 | .279 | .359 | .410 | .769 | |
| FRk (2 seasons) | 78 | 368 | 65 | 88 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 34 | 53 | 46 | 63 | .281 | .379 | .438 | .816 | |
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.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, 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!
ReplyDeleteIF 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.