Here’s the situation: Rey Sanchez, the Mets’ shortstop, is batting .121 and has three hits in last 37 at-bats.
Here’s the question: Where’s Jose Reyes?
Sanchez not only went 0-for-4 in last night’s 4-2 Met win, but failed on two sacrifice-bunt attempts in the sixth and grounded into a force play with the bases loaded in the eighth.
“I’m not seeing the ball well. I’m not making good contact,” he said. “I’ve got to go back to basics.”
Despite Sanchez’s struggles and Reyes’ talents, the Mets reiterated that there are no plans for a replacement.
“It’s not just a need in New York, but what’s right for Jose,” GM Steve Phillips said. “We have to keep the big picture in mind. I just don’t think now is the right time.
“What’d [Sanchez] hit last year, .287 or .283 or something? [actually .286] He’s a better hitter than what he is now.”
At Norfolk (AAA), the 19-year-old Reyes is batting .261 and is a league-best 13-for-13 in steals. More impressive than his stats, though, is his potential. Recently recalled OF Raul Gonzalez said Reyes is “like Alfonso Soriano [but] better defensively probably.”
And then there’s Norfolk GM Dave Rosenfield.
“He can be a [Nomar] Garciaparra – except he runs better,” Rosenfield said via phone. “He’s the real deal.
“He’s going to be a superstar. He plays so hard. Every ball he hits out of the box, he’s going full speed, thinking extra-base hit.
“If this kid isn’t a star, I will be shocked.”
Rosenfield isn’t your average minor league front office honcho. He’s been overseeing the Tides for 42 years.
Of course, Met fans may scoff at such effusive acclaim. They heard the same thing about David West. Paul Wilson. Alex Escobar.
“[Reyes] has more ability,” Rosenfield said, laughing. “The only comparable prospect, position player-wise, that I’ve seen since 1969 is [Darryl] Strawberry.”
So when will Reyes be here? Rosenfield and Norfolk manager Bobby Floyd both agree that Reyes could use more time. And while Floyd raved about Reyes’ “cannon arm” and ability to “create runs” he also noted the need for better plate discipline.
Phillips said there’s no stat that Reyes has to improve on, no number of at-bats he has to reach. Said the GM: “It’s more how we feel about his readiness.”
