Yoenis worthy of Hollywood star

L OS ANGELES — Yoenis Cespedes was made for Hollywood. His life story, escaping from Cuba, combined with his terrific, team-carrying production for the Mets, his fourth team, is the stuff movies are made of — add a few horses and fancy vehicles, and maybe even a pig, and you really have something big.

Cespedes, 30, is producing for the Mets the way the Dodgers hoped Yasiel Puig, 25, would produce for them.

Puig has such a long, long way to go.

Yo is a star among stars and his .680 slugging percentage is second in the NL. He is a presence. He is so unique. Cespedes drove in another run Monday night with a single in the third inning of the Mets 4-2 win over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, giving him 31 RBIs for the season.

Puig was struck out by Jim Henderson with the potential tying runs on base in the eighth.

The Mets beat the Dodgers in the NLDS and look a whole lot better than them right now.

Here’s what has changed to make Cespedes an even better hitter.

“He’s doing lots of damage because he is taking his walks,’’ hitting coach Kevin Long told The Post. “He’s really shrunk his zone and I’m so proud of that, it’s easier said than done. He’s been one way for a long time and he’s been very successful at it, but he’s a different animal right now.’’

A much different animal.

“His chase rates are down, his walks are above the major league average,’’ Long said. “I have the highest praise for him.’’

Just put up a new sign: HollYOwood.

Cespedes is off to an MVP start. He has only struck out four times over his last 12 games, while King 21 times over his first 15 games.

“I enjoy every single day, each day of playing baseball is what I enjoy,’’ Cespedes said.

Cespedes made it a point this year to become more selective at the plate, which goes completely against his baseball nature. He has 11 home runs, the Dodgers entire starting lineup Monday night went into the game with 12.

“I’m being more selective at home plate and that has allowed me to hit more home runs,’’ Cespedes explained. “A lot of Cuban players are hitters who swing at balls out of the zone. Having to adjust to a smaller strike zone is a task.’’

Cespedes leads the National League with 31 RBI. His OPS is 1.058. He is hitting .290.

In spring training Long worked with Cespedes on hitting the ball up the middle, saying the home runs would come if Cespedes got his pitch to pull. It was more important to learn to drive the ball up the middle. Control the strike zone. Have more overall success.

The plan is working to perfection.

Meanwhile, Puig continues to struggle. He is batting .235 with a .383 slugging percentage. Puig has hit three home runs.

The Mets have outscored the opposition, 24-5 in the first inning. Cespedes is a big reason for that. The key for the Mets is to grab an early lead and then let their pitchers do their thing as Matz did last night. Matz doubled in a run as well, the third straight game a Mets pitcher has produced an extra-base hit — the Bart Factor.

Cespedes creates a fear factor, too.

The Mets lead all of baseball with a .507 road slugging percentage and Cespedes is a big reason for that. He owns an .840 road slugging percentage.

Cespedes leads the way in every way. There is much communication between Cespedes and the other hitters. Over has last 12 games he has blasted six home runs and driven in 17 runs. In the first 30 games of a season only one Met has hit more home runs over that span to start the year and that was Dave Kingman in 1976 when he hit 14 home runs. With his new more selective approach, Cespedes’ potential is off the charts.

Sure, Yoenis Cespedes is made for Hollywood but he has found a home; he is the leading man in New YO City.