As the New York Mets open their 2011 season, one of the early highlights of the season will be the debut of Xaverian high school graduate Pedro Beato. Once he steps foot on the mound for the New York Mets, he will have accomplished what every kid with a bat and a glove toiling the New York City sandlots desires -- to play big league baseball for the hometown team.
Following the trails of Xaverian alums Pedro Hernandez, Rich Aurilia and Ruddy Lugo, Beato represents the hopes and dreams of the thousands of local school-aged children that will now want to walk in his shadowes. Blessed with a tremendous arm and a tantalizing 6’4” build, it is apparent why the Orioles offered him a $1 million signing bonus.
Acquired from the Orioles during the Rule 5 draft this winter, Beato will have to stay with the Mets the entire season or else be offered back to the Orioles half of his $50,000 draft fee. Beato is no stranger to the Mets organization, as they drafted him out of high school in the 2005 MLB Draft, but opted for a year at St. Petersburg Community College when the Mets could not meet his demands for the $1 million he sought as a bonus.
In 12.2 innings this spring, Beato posted a 3.55 ERA. He figures to be used in the bullpen for middle relief. Regardless of whatever capacity he serves for the Mets, Beato will fulfill a boyhood dream when he climbs on the mound fully clad in his Mets uniform. Legions of New Yorkers will be vicariously watching one of their own as he embarks on his major league career.
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