The easy-to-root-for utility player won't be with the Mets when they break camp.
Terry Collins confirmed yesterday that super-utility player Anthony Seratelli will not break camp with the Mets. Despite experience playing in both the outfield and middle infield, Seratelli hit only .213/.229/.277 in spring training, which hardly distinguished himself from the pack. Barring an external option emerging in short order, it appears Omar Quintanilla is the most likely candidate to make the Opening Day roster as a backup middle infielder, although Collins has been noncommittal about Quintanilla’s future role so far.
Seratelli, who is a seven-year minor league veteran in the Kansas City Royals system, was hoping to get his first shot at joining a club at the major league level. Given his backstory, it’s hard not to root for him. Like Scott Rice last year, Seratelli was looking to break into the big leagues for the first time and have a rookie season at age 31. In 2011, a car accident claimed the life of his father, to whom he has dedicated his baseball career.
Since Seratelli isn’t on the 40-man roster, he won't need to clear waivers in order to remain with the Mets in 2014. Given the lack of depth the Mets currently have in the middle infield, it is certainly possible he could see major league action if ineffectiveness or injury takes down Ruben Tejada.