2011 Season In Review: Josh Satin

The New York Mets went 77-85 in 2011. As suggested by the sub-par record, there were a fair share of ups and downs throughout the season. “2011 Season in Review,” which will be an ongoing series, will analyze every single Mets player that picked up a ball or glove in 2011, for better or worse. This particular “2011 Season in Review” will take a look at infielder Josh Satin.

Sometimes players in the minor leagues put up such good numbers that you can’t keep them off the Major League roster, despite the fact that they don’t ever profile to be a star.  Such is the case with Josh Satin, the twenty-six year old who made his big league debut last September.  While Satin doesn’t project to be an everyday player, he certainly could fill an important spot on the bench.

Drafted by the Mets in the sixth round of the 2008 draft, Satin has worked his way through the farm system, quietly putting together some solid stat lines.  During his 449 minor league games, Satin owns a .307/.397/.467 batting line with 37 homers.  While he’s not going to hit for much power, Satin has demonstrated an ability to get on base at a high rate at each minor league level.  Specifically, he’s been able to draw walks.

Before being called up, Satin spent most of 2011 at Binghamton and Buffalo.  Between the two clubs, Satin hit .323/.411/.495 with 12 homers (tying a career high in a season), drawing 71 walks while striking out 124 times in 564 plate appearances.  Yes, he struck out a lot, but he walked enough times to make up for it.

All those walks (and hits, since he hit well over .300) eventually earned Satin a September call-up.  He didn’t play a lot for the Amazins, recording five hits (one double) in twenty-seven plate appearances, walking once and fanning eleven times.  Two of his hits came as a pinch hitter.

Defensively, Satin is kind of like Daniel Murphy-he can play a bunch of positions, but not that well.  In the minors, he spent the most time at second base (250 games) while also seeing action at first (80 games) and third (68 games).  In the Majors, Satin played eight games at first base and one at third.  To quote Toby Hyde of MetsMinorLeagueBlog, “He started playing third, although he doesn’t have the arm for the position. He doesn’t really have the power for first, where he played in the big leagues.”

Hyde goes on to say that he sees Satin “as the 25th guy,” especially if he can learn to play left field.  Given that he doesn’t hit for power or play any position particularly well, the bench seems like the most logical fit.  He could serve as a right-handed pinch hitter and stay in the game to play defense if necessary.  While he might not make a huge impact on the team, Satin provides an internal candidate to fill a utility role and add some much needed depth to the club.