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.
In 2015 the Cyclones would have a Juan Lagares bobble head night.
In 2009 he was 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: on April 23rd, 2013 Juan Lagares made his MLB debut 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.
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.
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: on April 23rd, 2013 Juan Lagares made his MLB debut 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. The Mets outfield was in question, with Lagares stellar defense, he would begin 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.
Game Saving Catches: 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 quickly respected throughout the league.
On July 21st at Citi Field, he repeated the three- RBI feat with a three run HR against the Phillies Cliff Lee helping Matt Harvey to his 8th win of the season.
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.
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.
Multi- Three RBI Game:
On May 17th in Washington D.C., he collected a 1st inning RBI single & then hit a 3rd inning two run HR off Gio Gonzalez giving him a three RBI game, leading Bartolo Colon to a 5-2 win over the Nationals.
From August 26th thru the 27th, he collected seven RBIs while driving in runs in four straight
games. 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.
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.
2015 Mets Pennant Season: On April 2nd, 2015, the Mets agreed to a four-year extension worth $23 million through 2019.
Mets Record: Juan would began the season hitting safely in 14 straight home games at Citi Field, which was a new Mets home record. breaking Ken Singleton's 1970 streak of hitting safely in 12 straight home games at Shea Stadium.
On April 17th, Lagares was issued Gold Glove in a pre game ceremony. In the top of the 7th, with
two men on he would make a spectacular diving catch in centerfield on a sinking liner off the bat of JT Realmuto. Juan collected an RBI single bringing in Travis d'Arnaud with second run of the Mets seven run 4th inning of the 7-1 win.
From April 25 to May 3rd, he had six multi-hit games, having three straight two hit games to start out May getting his average up to .324.
He followed with two more multi-hit games over the next two days.
From July 4th to July 8th, on a west coast road trip he drove in five runs helping a struggling Mets offense win four of the games.
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 the Mets 2015 pennant season, he appeared in 143 games, batted .259 with 114 hits 16 doubles 5 triples 6 HRs 47 runs scored & 41 RBIs.
2015 Post Season-NLDS: In the NLDS win over the Dodgers, Juan appeared in three games.
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.
2015 NLCS: In the NLCS sweep over the Chicago Cubs, Lagares played in all four games.
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.
2015 World Series: In the World Series loss to the Kansas City Royals Lagares appeared in all five games.
In Game #2, Lagares got the start in the 7-1 loss in Kansas City going 0-3.
In the final Game #5, Lagares came in the game in the 7th inning as a defensive replacement. He
got two at bats going 0-2 finishing the 12 inning Mets Series loss in centerfield.
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.
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.
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.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On July 5th, he had his first three RBI Day with a pair of RBI singles, in a 12-5 Mets win over the Brewers in Milwaukee.
On July 21st at Citi Field, he repeated the three- RBI feat with a three run HR against the Phillies Cliff Lee helping Matt Harvey to his 8th win of the season.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 September 22nd, he had his seventh multi-three hit game of the season.
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 season, Lagares biggest question mark was his hitting, but he would improve raising his average forty-one points.
2014:
Going into the 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 his season high three runs in the game.
Juan started out the season with extra base hits in his first three games, tying for second most extra base hits to start a Mets season behind Rico Brogna's five games (1995). His four extra base hits in the first three games was the most since Carlos Delgado (2008).
In April Juan 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, the most by a Mets player in his first or second season since David Wright's 15 game streak (2013).
Overall, Lagares hit safely in 17 of his first 20 games with five multi-hit games.
Multi- Three RBI Game:
On May 17th in Washington D.C., he collected a 1st inning RBI single & then hit a 3rd inning two run HR off Gio Gonzalez giving him a three RBI game, leading Bartolo Colon to a 5-2 win over the Nationals.At the end of May he was still batting .290 as his hitting stayed consistent. But then in June he was back on the DL missing most of the month with a right intercostal strain.
In July, he had seven multi-hit games. From July 8th thru July 18th, he drove in six runs over a nine-game span including a stretch of four straight games with an RBI. He matched that again the following month, from August 23rd to August 27th, he drove in runs in four straight games with seven RBIs & two HRs in that span.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On August 23rd, he had his second multi-three RBI game of the season, 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 stayed hot batting .323.
games. 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.
Four Hit Game: On September 2nd in South Florida, Lagares had a four hit game & drew a walk, becoming the first Met since Jose Reyes (2011) to reach base five times in a game since. Juan matched his season high with three runs scored.
In the game he collected an RBI double, RBI single &scored two runs in the 8-6 win over the Marlins. He also drew a walk in the game & was the first Met to
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. In the lead-off position he batted .276.
Gold Glove: But what stood out the most was his outstanding defense, earning him a Gold Glove Award. He became the third Mets outfielder to win the Award- Tommie Agee (1970) & Carlos Beltran (2006-2008). Lagares made six outfield assists, with three of them throwing out runners at home. He was second in the NL with 28 defensive runs saved, Overall Juan made five errors, with a .984 fielding %.
The season wasn't what he was hoping for, he would have a hard time hitting right handers & elbow problems affected his fine defense.
On Opening Day, Lagares started out 2015 as the Mets main centerfielder batting sixth.
On Opening Day, Lagares started out 2015 as the Mets main centerfielder batting sixth.
Mets 11 Game Win Streak: From April 10th thru April 23rd, the Mets went on a franchise record tying eleven game win streak including a perfect ten game home stand. In that time Lagares hit safely in all eleven game batting .342 with six RBIs & six runs scored.
On April 14th, he drove in the first run of a Jacob deGrom combined 2-0 shut out win over the Phillies in the first game of the win streak.
From April 18th thru April 21st, he drove in runs in three straight games. On April 18th he drove in the first run in he the 5-4 win over the Marlins.
two men on he would make a spectacular diving catch in centerfield on a sinking liner off the bat of JT Realmuto. Juan collected an RBI single bringing in Travis d'Arnaud with second run of the Mets seven run 4th inning of the 7-1 win.
In the first game of the series sweep of the Braves, he drove in two more runs with an RBI single & sac fly in the 7-1 victory.
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.
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 had a season high three runs scored.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On April 28th, Lagares collected a bases loaded three run double off AJ Ramos in a loss to the Marlins. It was the first of a season high three multi-three RBI games he had that season.
On May 9th in Philadelphia, he his first HR of the year a two run shot off Aaron Harang, helping lead Jonathan Niese to a 3-2 win.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On June 14th in a 190-8 win over the Braves at Citi Field, Juan had a three hit-three RBI game. He was one of four Mets to homer as he hit his third HR of the year, a three-run shot off Atlanta's Luis Avilan.
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.
In September he played just six complete games, being used more for defensive purposes that month.
On September 5th in a 7-0 Bartolo Colon complete game shut out in South Florida, Lagares had his eleventh multi- RBI game of the season driving in two runs while collecting a pair or singles.
In the final regular season month, in 37 at bats, he hit .286.
He stole seven of ten bases attempted but posted poor on base % (.289) & OPS (.647).
In the outfield Lagares played 139 games posting a .993 fielding % with three assists & two double plays turned.
In Game #1 at Dodger Stadium, 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 #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.
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.
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 the Game #3 Mets win at Citi Field, Juan got another post season hit in the Mets only series win.
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 came into the game as a defensive replacement in the 8th inning.
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.
Honors: In 2022 he was on hand for the Mets Old Timers Day game. On Opening Day 2025 Juan was on hand with other Mets alumni for the opening festivities. He was also on hand for the Mets Alumni Classic that September.