Although small in stature, Ruben Tejada (5-11, 187), Ronny Cedeno (6-0, 190) and Andres Torres (5-9, 198) have all been making some big contributions of late and have played a key part in the Mets winning five out of their last nine games (after the team dropped 12 out of their last 13).
These diminutive, yet important sparkplugs have given the Mets a shot in the arm of late and their presence in the lineup has come at a good time, as some of the Mets’ big sluggers have been playing inconsistent of late (I’m looking at you Ike Davis).
The following are the key stats for Tejada, Cedeno and Torres in their last ten games:
Tejada: 15-45 with 1 home run, 1 double, 3 runs and 1 RBI.
Cedeno: 9-24 with 1 home run, 4 doubles, 10 RBI’s and 1 run scored.
Torres: 10-28 with 1 triple, 1 double, 1 RBI, 5 runs scored and 1 stolen base.
Tejada and Torres are providing their spark at the top of the order and are giving players like David Wright, Daniel Murphy, Ike Davis and Scott Hairston ample opportunities for RBI’s. Meanwhile, Cedeno is biding his time while platooning with Daniel Murphy.
While Tejada has been good from the get-go, Torres and Cedeno have had their ups and downs during the season, but they are finally delivering on their talents. Plus, all three have had to battle back from injuries, as all three at one point or another have been on the DL.
For a Mets’ team that has been carried by David Wright and their starting pitching, it is great to see some of the “little” guys chipping in.
Tejada has done a marvelous job filling the giant shoes left by the departure of Jose Reyes and is doing everything that was expected of him and more. With a .319/.363/.389 line, Tejada is playing within his strengths and is firmly establishing himself as the Mets’ starting shortstop for the foreseeable future.
Torres, who was acquired with Ramon Ramirez for Angel Pagan in the offseason, got off to a rocky start. Of course, this was exacerbated by his trip to the DL after his first day with the Mets. However, Torres is now finding his groove.
Although not a great hitter from the left side, but when he hits from the right side, Torres is terror on lefties. Torres sports a .311/.436/.433 line as a righty compared to a .188/.292/.248 line as a lefty.
For a team with a very lefty-laden lineup, Torres (to go along with Tejada) at the top of the order vs. lefties is a key component for success.
Lastly, Cedeno is starting to earn his keep and has now raised his batting average to a healthy .291 and his on-base percentage to an impressive.361. It was always Cedeno’s glove that made him standout, but lately he is swinging a hot bat.
While the lumbering big boppers will garner the attention most of the time, it’s time we paid some credit to this thriving “little” trio.
While “chicks dig the long ball” (and Tejada, Cedeno and Torres’ combined four home runs will not win many fans over), they also do say women appreciate all the “little” things in life.
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