Kicking off our annual list is a young outfielder.
Name: Edward Lantigua
Position: OF
Born: 11/13/2006
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 195 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Acquired: IFA, January 15, 2024 (Moca, Dominican Republic)
2024 Stats: 45 G, 152 AB, .263/.397/.395, 40 H, 9 2B, 4 2B, 1 HR, 21 BB, 37 K, 9/13 SB, .327 BABIP
Born on November 3, 2006, in Moca, a city in northern Dominican Republic home to fellow DSL Mets teammate Enderson Asencio, Edward Lantigua was considered one of the better players available in the 2024-2025 international rookie player class. The Mets formally signed the outfielder on January 15, 2024, the first day of the signing period, giving him a $950,000 signing bonus, the second-highest that they gave any one player that year. He played for both DSL squadrons in 2024, hitting .290/.443/.462 in 28 games with the DSL Mets Blue and .220/.313/.288 in 17 games with the DSL Mets Orange, good for a cumulative .263/.397/.395 batting line in 45 games on the season with 9 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 9 stolen bases, and 21 walks to 37 strikeouts.
Listed at 6’4”, 195-pounds, the skinny and leggy Lantigua has already added some height and mass since signing with the club and will undoubtedly put on some more as he ages. The right-hander stands open at the plate, holding his hands high and angling his bat head at 1:00. He swings with a big leg kick without much of a weight transfer or load, hovering his lead foot until planting it. His swing is a bit long-levered but has shown no issues against his peers in live pitching exercises. It produces easy power, and with a good approach and strong bat to ball skills, Lantigua has the chance to develop into a multi-dimensional hitter with power to all fields.
In the outfield, scouts and evaluators project Lantigua to have the ability to stay in center field thanks to his above-average speed. With his long legs and high waist, Lantigua has a body type that is unlikely to lose speed and athleticism as he adds muscle mass, but if he ever does and is unable to stay in center, his strong, above-average arm allows him to play right field as well.