Juan Moreno tried switch-hitting, pitching, saw single-A
New Kingsport Met switch-hitter Juan Moreno nearly hit a homer to left field in one August 1991 game. The next night, though, he hit one out to right, The Kingsport Times-News wrote.
"Moreno just started switch hitting this year," Kingsport manager Andre David told The Times-News afterward. "He's learning to hit from the left side now. Tonight he got hold of a good pitch and just lifted it out of the ballpark."
Moreno hit that home run in his second season as a pro. He went on to see two more - including a look at pitching. He topped out at single-A.
Moreno's career began in 1990, signed by the Mets as a free agent out of his native Dominican Republic.
Moreno started with the Mets in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He hit .208 in 32 games. He then played 1991 between the GCL and rookie Kingsport. He hit .241 over that year in 54 games. He hit two home runs in 1991, one of them in August, a grand slam.
Moreno made single-A Columbia for 1992. He got into 100 games and hit .226. He hit a home run in a May win. He went 3 for 3 in an August win where Columbia earned a tie for first place, after a slow night the previous night, The Columbia State wrote.
"Last night, we were tired after playing Myrtle Beach (the previous night)," Moreno told The State. "We feel good today."
Going into 1993, though, Moreno and the Mets tried something different, pitching. He saw 20 outings at Kingsport and went 1-4, with a 3.86 ERA. He also saw 31 games back at Columbia, Capital City, as an outfielder. He hit .159. That season marked his last as a pro.
- Kingsport Times-News, Aug. 23, 1991: K-Mets win 5th straight
- Columbia State, Aug. 10, 1992: Reichenbach, Mets sink Macon 4-2
Made the Majors:1,469-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,156-68.2%-X