The Mets are in a race for the playoffs and most nights Juan Lagares is on the bench. It’s not something most of us, much less his avid supporters, pictured coming into the season. Yet, viewed within the roller coaster ride that’s been his career with the Mets, it makes perfect sense. Lagares’ rise to the majors was anything but typical and his career path continues to make more turns than a two-lane mountain road.
Most of the top Latin ballplayers sign in July when they’re 16. But Lagares was a latecomer to baseball and did not sign until he was 17.