New York Post

Amazin’s create new post

- By MIKE PUMA

PORT ST. LUICE — Luis Rojas figures he’s got a built-in advantage as the Mets’ new quality control coach.

After spending the past eight seasons managing within the organizati­on’s minor league system, the 37-year-old Rojas will be a familiar face to many in the clubhouse as he delivers analytical informatio­n that might be useful to players.

“We have a great analytical team and I am going to be that source that brings in the informatio­n to our coaching staff and to our players,” Rojas said Wednesday. “Taking in mind the relationsh­ips I have with the guys, maybe knowing them from the start of their careers and throughout their careers.”

Much of Rojas’ work in quality control will occur pregame, presenting the coaches and players with the numbers in an understand­able fashion. The position was added by the Mets this winter — many teams have been using quality control coaches over the past several seasons — in an effort by new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen to expand the organizati­on’s analytical reach.

During games, Rojas will be in the dugout, serving largely in his other role as the team’s outfield coach.

Among Rojas’ projects is the conversion of Jeff McNeil from infielder to outfielder. The two began workouts together on the West Coast during the offseason.

“We started coming up with a plan,” Rojas said. “We started with the basics: prepitch, stance, route, reads off the bat and we progress into other things that we are taking here into camp and then some of the drills that we bring in with some of the outfielder­s. He has responded very well and I think he’s going to serve pretty good for us in left field.”

➤ Hector Santiago is slated to pitch behind Walker Luckett in Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Braves. The left-hander Santiago is competing with Luckett, among others, to head the Mets’ rotation depth beyond the starting five.

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