By Jerry Del Priore
While the Brooklyn Cyclones (short-season Single-A, Mets) have struggled offensively this season, one reason for hope and excitement at the plate has been Walter Rasquin, arguably the best all-around player on the club.
The 21-year-old second baseman is presently batting .296 with 16 RBI, 20 doubles, a triple and 12 walks in 216 at-bats in 55 games.
Moreover, the Caucagua, Venezuela, native has one valuable physical baseball attribute that seems to be missing on the big club this year: speed. The five-nine, 200-pounder is currently sporting a team-leading 28 stolen bases and 36 runs scored in 2017.
Rasquin, an international free agent, began his professional baseball career with the Dominican Summer League Mets in 2013. He played an additional year in the Dominican Republic, hitting an impressive .321 in 165 at-bats in 58 contests in 2014.
Rasquin followed that campaign up by clubbing .301 with 12 base thefts with the Gulf Coast Rookie League Mets and smacking .294 with the Appalachian League Kingsport Mets in 2016.
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 