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Posted Tuesday, April 24, 2007
I had both the honor and pleasure to interview Leo Mercedes, the agent for Mets prospect Francisco Pena at ‘Global Athletes Advisors & Management Endorsement Services, LLC’ (GAAMES - http://www.gaames.com). Both Mercedes and Pena’s mother attended one of the Savannah Sand Gnats home games during the first homestand of the season.
Mercedes was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York City at the age of 12. He played amateur baseball and managed youth league teams in Central Park. While in New York, he worked as a sports writer for “Ultima Hora”, covering the New York Yankees, Mets, Knicks, and New Jersey Nets. Mercedes is fluent in Spanish and works with our current Latin American players while recruiting other prospects. Several members of his family remain in the Dominican Republic. Mercedes and his wife, Millie, and sons, Alex and Darwin, reside in Miami, Florida.
Mack: First of all, thank you for spending some time with us here in Savannah. My first question is regarding the new policy under Mets General Manager Omar Minaya regarding the elevation of prospects to higher organizational levels regardless to age or experience. Was this a factor in signing with the Mets?
Mercedes: First, the Mets evaluate the players and it's their decision to send a player to the league that they feel comfortable, and it was not a factor in signing with the Mets.
Mack: Francesco seems to having some difficulty targeting his throws to second (though the opponent runners have been getting some great jumps off the Sand Gnat pitchers). Do you write that off as rookie jitters or will we see more practice in this area?
Mercedes: Any young player with no experience in the minor leagues will rush to throw to second base, especially when the opponent runners have great jumps and Francisco had never played in this kind of weather.
Mack: I have a couple of questions from the administrator of another Mets web site… nymetshome.blogspot.com. The first is, what do you feel is Francesco’s best skill right now, and what do you really feel he needs to work on?
Mercedes: Francisco best skill right now is his dedication to learn the game. He is a natural hitter to the middle and opposite field, and he needs to work on every aspect of the game.
Mack: Also from nymetshome.blogspot.com, what other teams were interested in signing your client, and how come he chose to come to the Mets?
Mercedes: The other teams that were interested were the Reds, Yankees, Arizona, Marlins.
Mack: I’m sure you, Francesco, and the Pena family sit down and do the numbers regarding when we might see Francesco in the majors. I’m thinking 2010… what’ your opinion?
Mercedes: The Pena family have a lot of Faith in the Lord and they put everything in the Lord Hands, I believe he will he be there in 2010 or 2011 if everything goes according to his abilities with the Lord blessings.
Mack: I know the Pena’s have a home in New York. Do you anticipate Francesco being reassigned to Brooklyn, once their season starts, so he can go home every night to some home cooking?
Mercedes: I don't see Francisco (being) reassigned to Brooklyn.
Mack: I saw on GlobalBaseball.com a long list of Latin American prospects that are currently unsigned. Do you expect any announcements soon that will bring a smile to Mets fans?
Mercedes: There are around 15 young players eligible in the Dominican Republic for July 2nd, that's up to the Mets to bring a smile to their fans, but they are advanced for their age. (16 Yrs Old).
Mack: The wife (Mrs. Mack) was thinking about sending a home cooked meal to Francesco and his countrymen. Any suggestions what she should prepare?
Mercedes: Mrs Mack can cook anything to the players and they will be (appreciative) of the gesture, anything that includes white rice.
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John Mackin Ade has enjoyed a distinguished career in broadcast and print media and currently resides in Savannah, Ga. with his wife where he is the beat reporter for the Savannah Sand Gnats.
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