Expectations for Juan Lagares, a light-hitting 32-year-old who hasn’t appeared in a major-league game since September of 2019, were low upon his arrival in Angels camp as a non-roster invitee this spring. So naturally, the former Met has gone ballistic in the Cactus League, earning his Opening Day roster spot on the strength of a .395 spring average with two homers and seven RBI.
Lagares’ fielding prowess (he patrolled the Citi Field outfield with the best of em’) made him an ideal platoon/late-inning defensive replacement for the Mets, though he was generally regarded as an offensive liability, sporting an underwhelming .254/.297/.361 batting line with nonexistent power (just 25 homers in 1,950 MLB at-bats). However, the Dominican Republic native has quickly changed that narrative, wowing onlookers with tape-measure home runs and high-exit velocities this spring.
Just days after slugging a majestic, 452-foot blast against the Rockies (his longest home run prior to that, accomplished in 2019, traveled all of 423 feet), Lagares delivered another head-turner in Sunday’s regular-season dress rehearsal, sending this seventh-inning offering from Dodgers lefty James Pazos to the center-field rock pile at Angel Stadium. Statcast measured that one at a healthy 421 feet, coming off Lagares’ bat at a blistering 109.9 mph.
Lagares’ sudden improvement at the plate has predictably been the talk of spring training, with many wondering where this offense was throughout his seven-year span in Queens. When asked of Lagares' recent power surge, Angels manager Joe Maddon admitted, he didn’t think the veteran had it in him.
Before you get too excited, know that Lagares’ path to regular playing time in center field (which has long been his preferred position) is blocked by a certain Mike Trout, who may or may not be the best baseball player alive. With that said, it’s good to see Lagares thriving again after it looked like his big-league career might be winding down.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram