TRENTON, NJ – Sometimes a reward can put you in a slump.

And, that is what Binghamton Mets shortstop Corey Ragsdale went through when he was called up from St. Lucie on June 29.

“At first, when I came up, I wasn’t as patient,” Ragsdale said. “But now I am getting on the ball a little bit better and getting the bat on the ball. I am waiting for my pitch to hit rather than their pitch.”

Ragsdale was always known more for his glove than his bat. Before this year, the Arkansas native had a career average of .193 in four professional seasons, which was too low to be considering any type of return to New York for the former Brooklyn Cyclone or even a prospect in the Mets plans.

But, the 6’4” 22 year-old grew into his batting and his numbers were definitely improving in his second season at St. Lucie. Ragsdale was hitting .260 with 10 home runs and 38 RBI at the time of his call-up. He has started showing more patience at the plate and had 33 walks in 247 at bats.

And when a shortstop was needed at Binghamton, Ragsdale’s name was called.

“I wouldn’t really say surprised, but I didn’t worry about it,” Ragsdale said. “I was in St. Lucie and having a pretty good year.  I am trying to take care of my business and whatever happens, happens. I am just going about my work every day.”

At first, Ragsdale was a little overmatched in AA. With almost two months under his belt at Binghamton, the shortstop is hitting on .209, but is showing surprising pop with six home runs and 23 RBI. He feels it is an adjustment to a pitching style.

“[The pitchers] just spot their pitches a little bit better and I think they throw their breaking balls a little bit shaper for the most part,” he said. “They can throw it more consistently if they want to. I think that’s the biggest part.”

But as he’s adjusting, he is improving. Ragsdale hopes that this is a step in the right direction. And, if he could turn his bat into an asset like his glove, he will give the Mets an interesting dilemma.

With David Wright and Jose Reyes at third and short for years to come, he will have no place to play. But the laid back ballplayer doesn’t sweat it.

“[Reyes] is a great shortstop and he has a chance to be really good up there,” he said. “But I can’t worry about that. I have to worry about what I can do and do the best to have. I would never want anything to happen to Jose or David, but it has happened before. I just need to work my butt off and if it happens, it happens either with the Mets or some place else.”

But that is far in the future. Right now, Ragsdale is concentrating on adjusting to Eastern League pitching and getting his average up to where baseball takes notice.

And then he may be a considered a prospect in the Mets plans.

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