Juan Lagares, Center Field

Date of Birth: 3/17/1989
Birthplace: Constanza, Dominican Republic

Juan Lagares, center fielder, was signed by the New York Mets as a free agent in 2006. He started as a shortstop in their minor league system but was moved to the outfield in 2009. He played in the minors from 2006 through part of 2013, finishing with a .282 batting average.

In 2013, Lagares batted .242 with 95 hits and 21 doubles in 121 games with the Mets. As a center fielder in 108 games, he made 257 putouts and 5 errors with a .982 fielding percentage. He finished the 2014 season with 117 hits, 24 doubles, 47 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, 87 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a .281 batting average.

Lagares won his first Gold Glove award in 2014. In 112 games as a center fielder, he made 293 putouts and 5 errors and he had a .984 fielding percentage.

Lagares played in 143 games with the Mets in 2015. He finished the season with 114 hits, 16 doubles, 41 RBIs, and a .259 batting average. As the Mets' center fielder in 137 games, he made 278 putouts and 2 errors. He had a strong postseason, batting .348 with 8 hits, including 2 doubles, and 2 stolen bases in 23 at-bats in 13 games.

Lagares spent time on the DL in 2016, playing in just 79 games with the Mets. He batted .239 with 34 hits. He didn't play in the Wild Card game.

Lagares was again on the DL in 2017, limiting his playing time to 94 games. He finished the season with 63 hits, 16 doubles, 56 strikeouts to 14 walks, and a .250 batting average. Defensively, as the Mets' center fielder in 85 games, he made 162 putouts and 3 errors.

Lagares missed most of the 2018 season due to a season ending toe injury in May. Prior to his injury, he batted .339 with 20 hits in 30 games.

Lagares played in 133 games in 2019, and he had 55 hits and a .213 batting average. Defensively, as a center fielder, he made 169 putouts and 3 errors in 125 games.

Lagares became a free agent on November 1, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on February 10, 2020. He elected free agency on July 14, 2020. He returned to the Mets on a minor league contract on July 22nd. He played in only two games with the Mets in 2020.

Lagares elected free agency on August 30, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels on February 11, 2021. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with a left calf strain. He finished the season with 73 hits, 20 doubles, 38 RBIs, 76 strikeouts to 12 walks, and a .236 batting average in 112 games. After the season ended, he played in the Dominican Winter League.

Lagares became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Angels on May 8, 2022. The following month, on June 29th, he elected free agency.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Juan Lagares
ESPN - Juan Lagares