New York Mets: Jose Reyes Returns to Organization

Jose Reyes made his highly anticipated return to the New York Mets organization on June 26^th with the New York Mets A- affiliate, The Brooklyn Cyclones.

The New York Mets signed Reyes to a minor league contract on the 25^th in the hopes that his return can provide a spark to a Met team in need of a kick start. The Mets front office anticipates using Reyes as a utility player, mainly at third base and in the outfield. Both positions that the Mets have faced challenges with in keeping players healthy and retaining consistent offensive production.

This signing came as a shock to many fans across the baseball world. Just 10 days ago, it seemed inconceivable that the Mets would ever resign Reyes. Yet, they have and he made his debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones on June 26^th in their game against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

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The anticipation of a Jose Reyes sighting was palpable if you were in line waiting to get into MCU Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Fans of all ages could be seen sporting their best ‘Reyes’ jerseys or shirts or whatever beloved memorabilia they had. Met fans have been waiting for this moment since Reyes left following the 2011 season.

Reyes took an early batting practice before any excited fans could make their way into MCU. In addition to his early batting practice session, Reyes also took ground balls at third base with under the tutelage of former Met, Edgardo Alfonzo.

This is just the second time that Reyes has made a start in Brooklyn. The first time was in his last season with the Mets in 2011 as a rehab start. In that game, he went 1-3 with a double and run scored.

This time around in Brooklyn did not go as well for Reyes at the plate. In his lead off position, Reyes went 0-3 with a fielder’s choice.

In addition to his infrequent stops in Brooklyn, Reyes had also almost never played third base in his professional career. The last time he manned the hot corner was in 2000 when he was with the Kingsport Mets. He played only seven games at the position before he went back to his usual short stop.

If this season has taught us anything, it’s that we must not rely on the average as an indication of how things will go. Reyes started the game at third and came out to a grand ovation from the packed house at MCU Park.

In the bottom of the first, Reyes came up to bat to the classic chant of “Jose. Jose. Jose. Jose” and a raucous ovation from loyal Met fans. His first at bat ended with a swinging strike out on a curve ball on the outside corner. Reyes appeared to be unprepared for the pitch and made a very bad attempt at the pitch, undoubtedly due to rust accumulated during his suspension and time without seeing live pitching.

The next half inning allowed Reyes to show his skills at his new position. On a high fly into foul territory down the third baseline, Reyes drop stepped to get under the ball just three feet from the knee high wall down the line. He caught the ball cleanly and confidently for the final out of the top of the second.

Reyes looked comfortable at third and did not display any actions that could show he was in discomfort at a foreign position. His athletic skills allow his to adapt to positions quicker than many other players would be able too.

Reyes again stepped up to the plate again in the bottom of the third with one out. As he settled into his stance, he seemed relatively loose but also eager to produce for the team. He swung at the first pitch and hit it off the end of his bat for a slow dribbler to the third baseman for the second out of the inning.

“He needed to wait back and see some more pitches. He was over aggressive basically” explained Matt DeGroff a 20-year-old lifelong Met of Inwood, Long Island.

DeGroff came to the game in hopes of seeing the Jose Reyes of old. A sparkplug who can ignite the offence and bring a team to a new level.

“I expected Reyes to do more. It was his first game back so he was still trying to get back in the swing of things” explained DeGroff.

Many of the fans at the game were of the same mindset of DeGroff. They wanted to see Reyes play as his old self. They did all they could to show him that they were supporting him. As Met fans, they all want him to be a big factor on the big league roster soon.

Unfortunately, they would be severely underwhelmed. In his third and final at bat, Reyes hit a high fly ball just feet away from the third base side of the mound. The sun which was shining directly into the left side of the field obscured the view of the short stop who settled under it and it dropped for a fielder’s choice when Dionis Paulina was thrown out at second because of his understandable hesitation at first base.

Reyes exited the game following the bottom of the sixth inning and was replaced by Dale Budrick.

Prior to his exit, Reyes had two more chances to show his prowess at the hot corner. In the fifth inning, he fielded a fly ball near the mound easily for the first out of the inning. His most challenging play came in the sixth when a short hopper was hit his way. He handled it with ease and threw the runner out at first to end the inning.

Next: Mets option Michael Conforto, recall Brandon Nimmo

In all, Jose Reyes has an average come back to an organization that worships him. He got his feet wet at the lowest level possible. He showed that he is able to play a new position with the typical ease and looseness that we expect from him. His future is uncertain in the way that no one can know how or if he will help the big league team in their push for a World Series Championship. What is for sure is that he will be with the major league club within the next two weeks and we will all get to see how he performs when everyone expects the world out of him.