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If you are a fan of the New York Mets, there is a strong chance that you’ve heard the name Cesar Puello before. At one point, one of the Mets’ most highly touted prospects, the right fielder Puello has shown superior strength and speed, a combo that makes many scouts salivate. Puello, however, has exhibited many struggles throughout his minor league with plate discipline which have led to him underachieving mightily.
Currently with the Double-A Binghamton Mets, Puello has had a bit of a breakout year thus far, hitting .3o0 with 16 extra base hits, seven of which have been home runs. Additionally, Puello has stolen 10 bases while being caught only three times.
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It’s hard not to get excited over someone this young and toolsy as a Mets fan, especially when he plays a position that the Mets need help at desperately. Still, it is important to temper our expectations for Puello, as he is still rather raw at an age where we could expect a bit more out of a top prospect.
Puello has walked just eight times so far this season, and as a result, his on-base percentage is just .368, which certainly isn’t bad, but one would expect a higher number when accompanied with an average as high as his. The eight walks look even worse when compared with his 32 strikeouts, leaving him with a 4-to-1 K-to-BB ratio, a very negative sign for a developing prospect.
Puello has the physical ability to be a big leaguer, and quite possibly a major contributor in the near future, but he will need to truly learn how to control the strike zone. This is the difference between a AAA stud and a big league ballplayer. Just ask Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
