|
|
|
During last night’s win over the Phillies, Angel Pagan was 3 for 5 with two runs scored and a game-winning, walk-off RBI single in the 12th inning.
Following the game, Pagan talked with reporters and had the following to say about…
…getting mobbed by his teammates after the game-winning hit…
“Oh my God, they hit me in the nose they hit me everywhere. But, hey, that’s part of a game-winning RBI, so I’ll take it. They can beat me up any time.”
…his early-season success…
“Everything is feeling pretty much like it did in spring training. I’m feeling great at the plate, and hopefully I can keep it up through the season…I never put pressure on myself, I always try to just play my game and let my abilities go. Whatever happens, happens. Right now, I feel great.”
…whether he feels comfortable in pressure-packed situations…
“I love it. Any time I’m in that situation I’m going to give my 100 percent – and if i get it done, good. I’m always gonna do what I can to help the team in any way…I always play hard, and I’ll always do everything I can to help the club.”
…so far, it’s easy to like everything about pagan…he plays hard, he enjoys the game, he’s a well-rounded player, he’s healthy, he’s young, and – let’s not forget – he’s a home-grown player, despite being traded away and then re-acquired two years later…
For more on Pagan, read the New York Post and Newsday.
Off-topic, but if you want a laugh, check out the photo attached to the New York Times article regarding last night’s game.
Poor Eric Bruntlett looks like the most miserable creation of nature ever invented…
There is an ANGEL looking over the mets shoulders.best game so far this year
Angel in the outfield.
From what I’ve seen so far, he has a great approach at the plate. He’s patient, doesn’t seem to chase pitches, and hits the ball where it is pitched. If he played a full season, I’d project him as a high average, high OBP guy with modest power.
Love him. Even when he talks, you can tell he just ‘gets it’. Love what he brings to the table, I was actually saying the same thing on here about him just yesterday.
Angel Pagan In The TWO HOLE!!!!!
Love it.
First game this year that gave us magic from our Amazinz’…
I know it is a VERY small sample size but I want to keep seeing this guy play. Alou is a hell of a professional hitter too though.
it will all play itself out but Pagan has definitely earned a lot.
“he’s healthy, he’s young”
I haven’t heard that in reference to a Met in so long I nearly forgot what it means
Wright… Reyes…
Yeah, but those guys have become givens. The fact that we have another player, who if he keeps playing like this, will have to be considered in the mix of the core of this team, is exciting.
Granted he could nosedive tomorrow a la guys like Victor Diaz and Alex Ochoa. But I’m crossing my fingers with Angel.
His approach at the plate seems so advanced. Victor Diaz just swung as hard as he could at every single pitch. Pagan seems to understand how to work the count and go with the pitch. If he keeps up that same approach day in and day out, I think he will be good for the long term.
Pagan is a raw player. I welcome the idea of him being with the team in the future.
Leave Pagan in the number two slot! Taken Castillo out back and shoot him like a lame horse.
Hes been great so far. I’m not about to reverse my thinking on him just yet. We saw him hot for two weeks in ST, then cold for two weeks. Hopefully this isnt just another two week hot streak. The best thing about him is that he does the little things, so even when he isnt hot he is still productive.
Now if he could just learn how to get a jump on fly balls he would be all set…
I dont think he tracks it off the bat very well and sometimes turns into one of those two circles and a dive.
he will either play his way out of the lineup or play his way onto the field, but even if he keeps it going for just a few more weeks until Alou comes back, it will be a huge boost for the season.
you can stop with him replacing a healthy Alou, he is too strong and feared of a bat to keep on the bench.
And he can hit the ball to the opposite field!!!
Great point “game.” This guys is doing all the little things right at this time. From advancing the runners, laying down a bunt, to getting the game winning. To your point, even Keith commented on how smoothe he looks going to the opposite field. Very easy to root for Pagan – hope he keeps it up.
Any chance he can pull a Wally Pipp on Alou? Doubtful, but it’s nice to know if Alou goes down again, we have a solid replacement.
I don’t think you want to give away that kind of power. But against tough lefties I could see Pagan playing a little right for Church. Church, by the way, has been pretty darn good himself.
So far the only thing about Pagan that we can really complain about is his defense, he doesn’t get a good read off the bat, but he could get better.
I remember seeing him play in his first game ever for the Cyclones. i liked him back then. I like him now.
Yeah he needs to learn better routes … but like you said he can learn that.
I was gonna say this. One of the original Brooklyn Cyclones back when I had season tix the first year. I will always have a soft spot for those guys.
Even on defense, he’s no downgrade from Alou because his wheels make up for the poor reads.
Fielding the corners is a bit like hitting curves – the only way to learn how to do it is to do it. I’m sure he’ll get better with playing time.
The good news is if Pagan keeps up like this, there’s absolutely no need to rush F-Mart .
Dare i say we found our potential starting LF for 2009? Id love to see him in that role for all the aformentioned reasons, especially the home grown aspect!
id personally be excited to see him playing LF, santana, maine, ollie, pelf, X in the rotation, and then the dream of tex at 1st. any takers?? : )
Tex and Ollie would be a coup! I can’t see it happening though.
Funny how everyone wanted Pedro back for 2009, now he isnt even a consideration for 5th starter…
I agree that it wouldnt definitely be a coup! If we can keep OP that would be a HUGE step forward for this club, Tex would be the icing on the cake.
If Pedro can stay healthy, then heck yes resign him. unfortunately thats a big *if*. You cant help but admire his determination, competative spirit, and his attitude towards the game. i hope he comes back ASAP
Almost as much as I enjoyed the hits and RBI’s, I also appreciated the fundamentals of getting a bunt down when it was needed. Those are the things that win ball games on a consistent basis.
Along with that I am getting a fan crush on Pedro Feliciano. This guy looks pissed when he comes on, and rather than getting shaken, he looks annoyed when someone gets on base. Give him the ball in the 8th inning, and let “Deuce” Heilman give up his two runs a game in the 6th inning when we still have a chance to recover.
I hate to be so reactionary, but right now Angel Pagan is my hero.
That said, when Alou comes back, there’s no way Alou doesn’t play. He’s too good a hitter. Pagan will find playing time if he keeps up his tremendous play.
And I know Castillo got off to a slow and gimpy start, but this guy is a perfect two hitter. Castillo needs to perform better, but I can’t see Pagan staying in the 2-hole when Castillo is healthy.
Alou will come back, and Alou will get hurt again. Needless to say, if Pagan is still hitting like this come the warmer weather, he’s going to play, one way or another. The only way this becomes a disaster is if Angel cools off and Alou hurts himself again.
Hopefully Pagan adjusts well to a bench role, that’ll be a new challenge for him as he’s almost always been a starter on whatever level he has been on. It would be difficult to be less useful than Clark though…
It’s still too early to judge the pen….Heilman is a notoriously slow starter and usually excels after the AS Break. THis team misses Duaner tremendously, and without Joe Smith in the early part of 07, it would have been much worse last year.
Lets just see this team start scoring runs so we don’t have to lean on the pen so much.
Pagan could keep playing LF and Alou could pinch hit and sub when someone needs time off. You know Alou can hit, and he wouldn’t be as likely to get hurt if he was only playing every once and a while – as well as pinch hitting.
No, Alou will play every day until he gets hurt again. He is a feared right handed bat that is sorely needed in the lefty dominated bottom half of the lineup on an every day basis.
who did we get for pagan from the cubs?
A few pictures of Ben Franklin.
They bought his contract, noone came back for him.
OF Corey Coles who’s ceiling might be Pagan right now… and Ryan Meyers a righty reliever. Total steal.
We were saying similar things about Endy when he rose to the occassion after Alou was injured last season. I hope indeed that he stays hot and we will continue to need his bat and speed but c’mon folks, he’s no Moises yet.
No offense to Endy, I really like the kid, he’s just not the Second Coming that many were expecting.