2012 Mets Prime 9 Questions – #9

Over the next several days and in MLB Network fashion we will take a look at the Prime 9 on the field questions the New York Mets will look to answer over the 2012 Major League Baseball campaign in their efforts for immediate success as well as attempting to sculpt the parent club and get important answers as far as both potential mainstays and needs for the future. Lets get things started as we check in with number nine…

#9 – Ruben Tejada and the SS Position

First and foremost Ruben Tejada needs to be himself as he is not going to magically turn into a Jose Reyes - at the top of his game – type of player. He is a developing player who has shown ability both defensively and offensively at a young age. His biggest obstacle could be overcoming adversity and not crumbling under the pressure of replacing a fan-favorite and the ire of impatient fans. He will most likely be slotted into the seventh or eighth hole in the batting order to avoid pressure and expectations in an effort to allow him to get in a comfortable and relaxed state considering the circumstances. Potentially he could be a traditional number two hitter that handles the bat well, can hit & run, bunt, etc.

While Tejada, at just 22 years young, has shown positive glimpses in the infancy of his career he still needs to prove he can handle the rigors of playing a demanding position like shortstop for an entire season at the big league level. The long-term outlook or ceiling is probably a light-hitting decent defensive player with good hands who could grow as a gap-type hitter with doubles power and could be a 20 SB guy as he matures as a player. He will draw comparisons to a Maicer Izturis/Erick Aybar type of player as he grows developmentally. Dependent upon other developments he may see a position switch to second base at some point down the road which his skill set may be best suited for or even, like the aforementioned Izturis, a utility infielder role but until then he will be given every opportunity to become a fixture at shortstop for the Amazins.