Juan Lagares: Former Mets Gold Glove Center Fielder & Pennant Winner (2013 - 2019)
Lagares was signed by the New York Mets in 2006. He began playing in the Dominican Summer League.
Lagares spent four seasons playing for the Savannah Sand Gnats, getting to the Mets A Ball Brooklyn Cyclones club for 19 games batting .250. He spent 2009 back with Savannah as well as the Gulf Port Mets.
In 2010 he hit nine triples (second in the South Atlantic League) & stole 25 bases in 30 attempts for the St. Lucie Mets. In 2011 he was promoted to the Mets AA Binghamton club where he hit .338 in 82 games.
In 2012 he fell to a .282 average but played a fine outfield, leading the Eastern League in assists (17) & put outs (353) setting a Binghamton Mets record.
Mets Career: Lagares made his MLB debut, on April 23rd, 2013, in a 7-2 loss to the LA. Dodgers at Citi Field. In that game he got his first career hit, a single off Paco Rodriguez. With the 2013 Mets outfield in question as to who had a regular job, Lagares began to see more playing time.
On May 7th he got his next hit & then after a hitless game against the Chicago White Sox, he went on a three-game hit streak working his average up to the .200 level.
On May 7th he got his next hit & then after a hitless game against the Chicago White Sox, he went on a three-game hit streak working his average up to the .200 level. On May 9th, he made a game saving catch, robbing the Pirates Andrew McCutchen of an extra base hit with a runner on & two out in a tie game in the top of the 9th inning. The Mets won the game on a Mike Baxter walk off game winning hit.
On Sunday May 12th, he made another circus catch diving ahead for a ball, that landed in his glove then popped out up in the air as he landed on the ground. Lagares stayed focused & caught the ball a second time, making an outstanding play in the Mets 3-2 loss to the Pirates.
By now Lagares was getting a lot of attention for his outfield play. He was making the highlight reels with his leaping & diving catches. His arm was now respected throughout the NL. The question is can he hit at a major league level?
There were questions about Lagares being able to win the center field job starting out the 2014 season. There was competition in the outfield with guys like Eric Young & Chris Young. But it was quickly obvious, Lagares could not be overlooked. His play in the outfield was outstanding, as he made the highlight reels almost every night, making diving catches, sliding catches, leaping catches & throwing out runners.
His batting was steady as he was still above .290 at the end of May & he drove in 11 runs.
In June he was back on the DL missing most of the month of June. In July, he had seven multi-hit games, plus a streak of driving in six runs over a nine-game span in the middle of the month.
Four Hit Game: On September 2nd in Florida, Lagares had a big four hit game, matching his season high with three runs scored. In the game he had an RBI double, RBI single & two runs scored in the 8-6 win over the Marlins. He also drew a walk in the game & was the first Met to reach base five times in a game since Jose Reyes (2011).
2015 Mets Pennant Season: On April 2nd, 2015, the Mets agreed to a four-year extension worth $23 million through 2019.
Lagares started out the 2015 season as the Mets main centerfielder batting sixth on Opening Day. It wasn't to be the season he was hoping for, as he had a hard time hitting right handers & suffered from a problem elbow which affected his fine defense.
Multi- Four Hit Game: On April 25th, in the early season subway series, he had a four-hit game as the Mets beat the AL New York team 8-2 behind Matt Harvey.
On May 9th his first HR of the year a two run HR in Philadelphia, helped lead the Mets & Jonathan Niese to a 3-2 win.
2015 Post Season-NLDS: In the NLDS win over the Dodgers, Juan appeared in three games.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, he followed Wilmer Flores base hit with another single & then scored on Curtis Granderson's two run single putting the Mets up 2-1.
In the 7th inning, he got his second hit of the game, then stole third base & scored on Granderson's sac fly, leading to the Mets to the 4-2 win.
Lagares would come in as a late inning defensive replacement the next two games. In Game #4 he came in the game in the 2nd inning replacing Yoenis Cespedes who got injured. Lagares went 0-2 in the series clincher as the Mets won the NL pennant.
2015 World Series: In the World Series loss to the Kansas City Royals Lagares appeared in all five games.
In the Game #3 Mets win at Citi Field, Juan got another post season hit in the Mets only series win.
After the Pennant -2016: Lagares came to Spring Training 2016 a lot leaner this year, losing some twenty pounds, after working out with Jose Reyes in the off season. He has also changed his eating habits & was on a much better health kick.
Quotes- Juan Lagares: "I don’t know what’s going to happen yet. But like I said, I feel 100% and I’m ready to help the team in any way that they need me.”
In June, he would go the disabled list with a thumb injury, playing just seven games. When he returned, he struggled hitting just .160 in July. He then tore a ligament in his thumb & would miss all of August & half of September.
The Mets earned a wild card spot finishing off at 87-75, making the post season for the second
straight year.
2016 Wild Card Game: He did not see action in the 2016 NL Wild Card loss to the Giants.
2017: Juan was once again limited by injuries going on the DL twice & having surgery in June to repair a joint on his thumb.
On June 11th his 3rd inning RBI single against the Atlanta Braves proved to be the winning run as Seth Lugo, Jerry Blevins & Addison Reed held down the Braves for the win.
Subway Series: In that summer's subway series, he made a sparkling running catch in deep center field stealing a sure double from Gary Sanchez. He also collected four hits in that series as well.
On Sunday May 12th, he made another circus catch diving ahead for a ball, that landed in his glove then popped out up in the air as he landed on the ground. Lagares stayed focused & caught the ball a second time, making an outstanding play in the Mets 3-2 loss to the Pirates.
By now Lagares was getting a lot of attention for his outfield play. He was making the highlight reels with his leaping & diving catches. His arm was now respected throughout the NL. The question is can he hit at a major league level?
On Sunday May 19th, he hit his first career HR, tying up a game at Wrigley Field off Cub's pitcher Travis Wood. The Mets went on to win the game as well. It took him until mid-June to get over the .200 mark, as he had 15 hits over an 11-game span getting to .235.
On June 21st, his 6th inning double, off Cole Hamels at Citizens Bank Park, scored the game winning run in a 4-3 win over the Phillies. On July 5th, he had his first three RBI Day, in a 12-5 Mets win over the Brewers in Milwaukee. On July 21st, he repeated that feat with a three run HR against the Cliff Lee & the Phillies at Citi Field helping Matt Harvey to his 8th win.
On August 1st he peaked with a .275 average, proving he could play at the big league level. Later that week, he drove in all three runs in a 3-0 Mets win over the Colorado Rockies. Going into September he hit safely in 17 of 20 games, staying at the .270 mark.
On June 21st, his 6th inning double, off Cole Hamels at Citizens Bank Park, scored the game winning run in a 4-3 win over the Phillies. On July 5th, he had his first three RBI Day, in a 12-5 Mets win over the Brewers in Milwaukee. On July 21st, he repeated that feat with a three run HR against the Cliff Lee & the Phillies at Citi Field helping Matt Harvey to his 8th win.On August 1st he peaked with a .275 average, proving he could play at the big league level. Later that week, he drove in all three runs in a 3-0 Mets win over the Colorado Rockies. Going into September he hit safely in 17 of 20 games, staying at the .270 mark.
His hitting tailed off from there as he finished the 2013 year hitting .242 with 4 HRs 21 doubles 5 triples 34 RBIs six stolen bases in nine attempts, but a poor .282 on base %, while playing in 121 games.
Defensively he began to show his talents, leading all NL center fielders with 14 assists & was second overall among all outfielders with 17 assists. He posted a .982 fielding % & his range factor was considered the best over nine innings among all NL center fielders.
There were questions about Lagares being able to win the center field job starting out the 2014 season. There was competition in the outfield with guys like Eric Young & Chris Young. But it was quickly obvious, Lagares could not be overlooked. His play in the outfield was outstanding, as he made the highlight reels almost every night, making diving catches, sliding catches, leaping catches & throwing out runners.He covered tremendous range & according to baseball reference had the best range factor of all outfielders. He made 12 assists & posted a .984 fielding%. Lagares became the third Mets outfielder in team history to win a Gold Glove.
2014:
Going into the next season, Lagares biggest question mark was his hitting, but he would improve raising his average forty-one points.
2014:
Going into the next season, Lagares biggest question mark was his hitting, but he would improve raising his average forty-one points. Juan began the season with an Opening Day HR off Tyler Clippard, collecting two hits & a walk in the 9-7 loss to the Nationals. He also scored a season high three runs in the game.
A good April starting out the season with extra base hits in his first three games. He hit .314 with seven RBIs & eight runs scored over 13 games.
A good April starting out the season with extra base hits in his first three games. He hit .314 with seven RBIs & eight runs scored over 13 games.
He then was then shut down for the next two weeks due to a hamstring injury.
When he came back, he continued his hitting streak that would reach 13 games with five multi-hit games. Lagares would hit safely in 17 of his first 20 games.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On May 17th in Washington, he had a 1st inning RBI single then hit a 3rd inning two run HR off Gio Gonzlez for a three RBI gam, leading Bartolo Colon to a 5-2 win over the Nationals.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On May 17th in Washington, he had a 1st inning RBI single then hit a 3rd inning two run HR off Gio Gonzlez for a three RBI gam, leading Bartolo Colon to a 5-2 win over the Nationals.
His batting was steady as he was still above .290 at the end of May & he drove in 11 runs. In June he was back on the DL missing most of the month of June. In July, he had seven multi-hit games, plus a streak of driving in six runs over a nine-game span in the middle of the month.
From August 23rd to August 27th, he drove in seven runs in a four-game span, including hitting a pair of HRs.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On August 23rd, he had his second multi-three RBI game in a loss to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He hit his third HR of the season, a three-run shot coming off Zack Greinke. From this point thru the rest of the season, Lagares batted .323.
On August 26th his 4th inning, two run HR off the Braves Alex Wood broke a 1-1 tie leading New York to a 3-2 win.
Lagares started out September with a nine-game hit streak, getting his average back over .280.
Lagares started out September with a nine-game hit streak, getting his average back over .280.
Three Stolen Base Game: On September 7th at Cincinnati, Juan had a season high three stolen base game. In the 5th inning singled & stole second base. He later drew two walks & stole second each time although he did not score any runs in the 4-3 win.
On September 16th, he suffered a hyper extended elbow which ended his season.
On the year he hit .281 with 117 hits 24 doubles three triples, 4 HRs 46 runs scored & 47 RBIs. He stole 13 bases in 17 attempts. He posted a .321 on base % & .703 OPS. Inthe lead-off position he batted .276. His defense was outstanding as he earned a Gold Glove Award, making five errors, with six assists & a .984 fielding %.
Lagares started out the 2015 season as the Mets main centerfielder batting sixth on Opening Day. It wasn't to be the season he was hoping for, as he had a hard time hitting right handers & suffered from a problem elbow which affected his fine defense.
He began the season hitting safely in 14 straight home games at Citi Field, which was a Mets record. Ken Singleton had started the 1970 season hitting safely in 12 straight home games at Shea Stadium.
In the Mets four run 4th inning, he started the scoring with an RBI triple off CC Sabathia. Juan collected three singles as well & a season high three runs scored. He followed with two more multi-hit games over the next two days.
Multi- Four RBI Game: On April 28th, Lagares collected a bases loaded three run double in a loss to the Marlins.
As April went along, he hit well enough to get his average up to a season high .311 by early May. From Apil 25 to May 3rd, he had six multi-hit games.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On June 14th at Citi Field, Juan had a three hit-three RBI game, hitting his third HR of the year, a three-run shot off Atlanta's Luis Avilan in the 10-8 Mets win over the Braves. Four Mets hit HRs in the game.
From July 4th to July 8th, on a west coast road trip he drove in five runs helping a struggling Mets offense win four games.
On the July 31st trade deadline, the Mets acquired Yoenis Cespedes & Lagares became more of a fourth outfielder for the Mets.
Rookie Michael Conforto was hitting well enough to be an everyday player & Curtis Granderson
was steady, having a fine year in right. Lagares carried on about his business & was happy to contribute any way he could. In August he had himself five multi-RBI games while hitting two HRs.
was steady, having a fine year in right. Lagares carried on about his business & was happy to contribute any way he could. In August he had himself five multi-RBI games while hitting two HRs.
Pinch Hit Three Run HR: On August 13th at Citi Field, Juan hit a three-run pinch hit HR off the Rockies Tommy Kahnle in a 12-3 Mets win.
In September he played just six complete games, being used more for defensive purposes that month. In 37 at bats, he hit .286 in the month.
In the Mets pennant season, he appeared in 143 games, batted .259 with 114 hits 16 doubles 5 triples 6 HRs 47 runs scored & 41 RBIs. He stole seven of ten bases attempted while posting a poor .289 on base % & .647 OPS. Lagares played 139 games in the outfield posting a .993 fielding % with three assists & two double plays turned.
In Game #1 in Los Angles, Lagares made his post season debut as a defensive replacement in the 7th inning.
Multi- Three Runs Scored: In Game #3 at Citi Field he played his only series complete game, In the 4th inning, he led off with a double off Alex Wood & scored on Daniel Murphy's single.
Lagares also drew a walk & reached on a fielder's choice, scoring three runs in the Mets 13-7 win over the Dodgers.
In Game #4 at Citi Field, he got the start against Clayton Kershaw in Game #4 going 1-2 with one of the three Mets hits in the 3-1 Mets loss.
In Game #4 at Citi Field, he got the start against Clayton Kershaw in Game #4 going 1-2 with one of the three Mets hits in the 3-1 Mets loss. In Game #5 Lagares came into the game in the 7th inning, in the top of the 9th he hit a double off Kenley Jansen in his only at bat. The Mets won the game 3-2 advancing to the NLCS.
2015 NLCS: In the NLCS sweep over the Chicago Cubs, Lagares played in all four games.
In Game #1 he got the start going 2-3 with two runs scored.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, he followed Wilmer Flores base hit with another single & then scored on Curtis Granderson's two run single putting the Mets up 2-1. In the 7th inning, he got his second hit of the game, then stole third base & scored on Granderson's sac fly, leading to the Mets to the 4-2 win.
Lagares would come in as a late inning defensive replacement the next two games. In Game #4 he came in the game in the 2nd inning replacing Yoenis Cespedes who got injured. Lagares went 0-2 in the series clincher as the Mets won the NL pennant.
In Game #1 he entered as a defensive replacement in the 6th inning. In the top of the 8th with the score tied, he bunted for a base hit off pitcher Kelvin Herrera. He then stole second base. Wilmer Flores hit a grounder to first, that Eric Hosmer botched & Lares scored the go ahead run.
The run put New York up 4-3 but it in the 9th Alex Gordon tied the game with a HR off Jeurys Familia. They won it in the 14th inning on a sac fly walk off.
In Game #2, Lagares got the start in the 7-1 loss in Kansas City going 0-3.
In the 6th inning he singled off Franklin Morales, then came around to score on Juan Uribe's pinch hit single, putting the Mets up 6-3.
In the Game #4 loss he would come in as a defensive replacement in the 8th inning.
In Game #5 Lagares came on in the 7th inning as a defensive replacement once again. He got two at bats going 0-2 finishing the 12 inning Mets Series loss in centerfield.
Post Season Stats: Overall Lagares had a fine post season at the plate, as he hit .348 going 8-23 with a walk & seven runs scored.
After the Pennant -2016: Lagares came to Spring Training 2016 a lot leaner this year, losing some twenty pounds, after working out with Jose Reyes in the off season. He has also changed his eating habits & was on a much better health kick.Quotes- Juan Lagares: "I don’t know what’s going to happen yet. But like I said, I feel 100% and I’m ready to help the team in any way that they need me.”
Lagares entered 2016 as a reserve outfield, behind Yoenis Cespedes, Curtis Granderson & Michael Conforto.
On Opening Day Lagares got a hit with a run scored in the Mets 4-3 loss at Kansas City. He would stay consistent hitting .280 through May.
HRs in Back-to-Back Games: On May 27th, he had three hits with a solo HR off Joe Blaton & three RBIs in a 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. On May 29th, he hit his second career pinch hit HR, scoring the only run in the 9-1 loss to L.A.
In June, he would go the disabled list with a thumb injury, playing just seven games. When he returned, he struggled hitting just .160 in July. He then tore a ligament in his thumb & would miss all of August & half of September.By the time he returned from this injury, the Mets had acquired Jay Bruce & his role was even further back as a reserve.
After peaking at .286 in early July, all the injuries saw Juan's average had dropped off to .239 by the seasons end.
straight year.
Overall, playing in 79 games he hit 3 HRs with seven doubles two triples 15 runs scored & nine RBIs. He stole four bases & posting a .301 on base %.
2016 Wild Card Game: He did not see action in the 2016 NL Wild Card loss to the Giants.
In the off season, the Mets were unable to shop Jay Bruce & had a very crowded outfield going into Spring 2017. There was some interest in Lagares, but nothing materialized, so the fine defensive outfielder once again had to prove he can hit to get playing time.
On April 13th he made his first start, ten games into the season. He couldn't get his batting average over .200 until early May. But from May 10 until June 15th when he went down with injury, Juan batted .317.
Four Hit Game: On June 6th, he matched his career high with a four-hit game in a loss at Texas, In the game he also homered, for his first of the season.
On June 11th his 3rd inning RBI single against the Atlanta Braves proved to be the winning run as Seth Lugo, Jerry Blevins & Addison Reed held down the Braves for the win.
After the June 19th surgery he returned in mid-August.
In September he had six multi-hit games while hitting safely in 11 of 15 games. In his last ten games of the season, he batted .344.
In 2017 the Mets finished a disappointing fourth place. Lagares played in 94 games batting .250 with 63 hits 16 doubles 2 triples 3 HRs 15 RBIs a & seven stolen bases in ten attempts. He put up another poor .296 on base % & .661 OPS. In the outfield, he shined once again, even in limited play he led the Met outfielders with seven assists (12th most in the NL).
2018:
In the 2017-2018 off season, he spent ten days in California with noted hitting guru Craig Wallenbrock, working on a new approach to the plate & a developing new swing.
After the season, he was granted free agency getting signed by the San Diego Padres. In July 2020 he was released, then was resigned by the Mets. In the 2020 Covid shortened season he played defensively in two games.
In 801 games in the outfield, he won a Gold Glove, had 41 assists & made four double plays. He made 20 errors in 1574 chances posting a .987 fielding % with many spectacular catches.
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| photo by centerfieldmaz |
But once again injuries ruined his season. On May 17th, he tore the plantar plate in his toe while attempting a diving catch & was out for the rest of the season. Lagares only played in 30 games batting a promising .339 with six RBIs in 59 at bats.
In the off season, his name came up in many trade rumors, but nothing ever came of it.
2019: Lagares began the season hitting a HR in his fourth game, the earliest point in a season where he homered in his career. From March 31st to April 2nd, he drove in runs in three straight games.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On May 22nd at Citi Field, he had a multi- three RBI game, in a 6-1 win over Nationals. In the bottom of the 8th with the Mets down 1-0, he doubled with the bases loaded off Sean Doolittle clearing the bases for a 3-1 lead. Later that inning he scored on Rajai Davis' three run HR.
Grand Slam- Six RBI Game: On September 12th, in a 11-1 win over Arizona at Citi Field, Lagares had a career day. In the 3rd inning he belted his first grand slam HR coming off pitcher Alex Young. It was his first career grand slam. In the 5th inning he added a two run HR off James Sherfy to have the first multi-HR game of his career & a have a career high six RBI game.
For the 2019 Mets who went 86-76 just missing a wild card spot, Juan batted just .213 (a career low). He hit 5 HRs with 12 doubles a triple 38 runs scored & 27 RBIs. He stole four bases in five attempts, posting a .279 on base%.
Mets Career Stats: In his eight-year career with the Mets he has played in 718 games with 498 hits, batting .254 with 25 HRs 97 doubles 19 triples 227 runs scored & 179 RBIs. He struck out 437 times, walked 106 times while posting a .279 on base % & .659 OPS.
In 668 games in the outfield, he played 655 in center. Overall, he posted a .987 fielding % with 19 errors in 1375 chances while making 35 assists.
Post Mets Career:
Lagares was granted free agency, then signed on with the L.A. Angels. In 2021 he played in in 112 games batting .236 making five outfield assists.
Lagares was granted free agency, then signed on with the L.A. Angels. In 2021 he played in in 112 games batting .236 making five outfield assists. In 2022 he signed a contract in May playing just 20 games with the at the big-league level, getting granted free agency a month later.
KBO: Juan then played the rest of the year in Korean baseball.
Career Stats: In a ten-year career he batted .250 with 582 hits 119 doubles 22 triples 31 HRs & 217 RBIs with 270 runs scored. He struck out 528 times with 120 walks for a .291 on base % & .651 OPS.
Lagares will always be remembered & praised for his glove. Patrolling the outfield making sparkling, dazzling catches almost every day.
Family: Juan has never married & has one son Juan Jr. His name was stitched in his fathers baseball glove.