Today's Buffalo and WNY News brought to you by Metrowny.com
Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter
Ruben Tejada isn’t getting ahead of himself.
Sure, the 21-year-old knows he is next in line to take over the job as the New York Mets starting shortstop-but for now he’s more than happy to sharpen his skills in the 716.
The Buffalo Bisons starting shortstop, Tejada is set to inherit the job currently held by Jose Reyes.
Tejada knows full-well that Reyes, who is in the last year of his contract with the Mets, is attractive trade bait should the Mets fade from the NL East chase.
But to his credit Tejada has remained focus on his place in Triple-A.
“I concentrate on my work,” Tejada said. “You never know what may happen tomorrow. I don’t have control of that.”
Though Tejada obviously has aspirations to hang his hat at Citi Field on a regular basis he has sure great maturity by not getting swept up in speculation regarding his future.
That kind of focus has impressed Bison skipper Tim Teufel a great deal.
“He’s concentrating day-to-day,” said Teufel. “I don’t think he’s looking too far into the future. I think he has his hands full here, he has to play shortstop every day here and also swing the bat. So he’s got a job to do here and I don’t think he’s looking too far ahead.”
Making the Opening Day roster at the start of last season, Tejada played 78 games with the Mets - getting 46 starts at second base and 24 at shortstop. While Tejada dazzled with his glove, his bat was a different story as he hit just .213.
“Last year was a great experience for me. I think it made me more ready for this level,” Tejada.
Tejada returned to Buffalo and posted a respectable .280 average in 65 games with the Herd.
Along with his mature way of looking at the whole picture Tejada’s mind set was also helped by the fact the Mets skipper Terry Collins said early on that Tejada would be the starting shortstop in Buffalo and play everyday.
Thus eliminating any doubt in Tejada’s mind how he would be used.
Tejada has been in a groove in the batters box as of late, connecting with four consecutive multi-hit games.
Being utilized at the top of the order as of late, Tejada said he feels comfortable regardless of where he bats.
“No it’s the same,” he said. “Hitting in the seventh or first. Everything is mental.”
Buffalo News WNY News
No comments:
Post a Comment