Puello signed as an international free agent in 2007. He passed on Latin ball and came straight to the GCL Mets in 2008: .305/.350/.364 in 151 at bats.
In September 2008, Baseball America listed the top 20 prospects coming out of the GCL league, and Puello was ranked 12th. In September, Toby Hyde wrote: RF Cesar Puello – .305/.350/.364 – 6 2B, 1 HR, 5 BB, 32 K, 13/18 SB – 151 AB, 40 G - I was a little surprised when I first saw Puello. He’s not built like the typical 17-year-old baseball player from the Domincan Republic. Nope, he’s got some strength and size in his chest and arms. He hasn’t turned that muscular frame into power yet, but he was just 17. Instead, he showed a really nice feel for the barrel of the bat which he was able to translate into line drives into both gaps. He didn’t use his lower half much for power, but when he integrates that into his swing, he will start driving the ball more.
February 2009: MYOB on: - Cesar Puello OF - Only a $400,000 sign out of the DR. He likes to chase breaking pitches and doesn’t have one stellar tool, except his arm, which is a tick above average. Cesar hit .305 but stole 30 bases. His 5 to 32 walk to K ratio still needs some improvement.
In 2009, Puello played exclusively for Kingsport, a far lower level than originally projected. He hit .296/.373/.423/.796 in 196 at bats, hitting 5-HR and only 23-RBI. His BA and OBP were 15th in the league.
1-1-10 Forecast: - As much as the Brooklyn fans would love to see him, Puello is ready to jump to a full season team and will join the Savannah Sand Gnats in the spring of 2010. Hopefully, he will begin to develop more pop in his bat.
5-30-10 from: - http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?cat=42 - The Mets had a good haul from the Dominican crop in 2007, signing Wilmer Flores, Jefry Marte and Jeurys Familia. Cesar is just another name in that group, signing for $400,000. He showed a bit more power last year while not sacrificing in the average department. With his speed that could be a valuable combination. He is now playing in a full season league, striking out too much (43 K’s) and hitting just .234. He does have 19 steals in 21 attempts.
6-17-10: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/405671-mets-prospect-watch-five-young-future-metropolitans - Puello is a young outfielder who can bring a ton of speed to the table. He won’t strike out much at all. He brings a plate presence similar to Luis Castillo to the game. But, he really, really needs to work on drawing more walks, even though it might not fit his style of play. In 89 games between 2008 and 2009, he drew a whopping total of 15 walks. He looks better this year, drawing 17 to this point. He will need to work on that though. His average is down this season, but he has shown signs of being a capable leadoff man. On a side note, he is becoming notorious for getting hit by pitches. The Mets may very well have their top-of-the-order base stealing threat in Puello, and he could be tried out in that role in 2014
7-16-10 from: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2010/7/16/1572497/mets-farm-system-mid-term-review - He's fallen off somewhat from a year ago—what little power he had fell off a cliff and his average dropped to .258—but he moved up a level and he's still young for the league. And most importantly the patience has held up: his isolated discipline is .088, up .011 from his mark in Kingsport last season. With his speed, if he can make more consistent contact in the second half, he'll really improve his chances at making it as a leadoff hitter. What bothers me the most, however, is that he's been playing right chiefly; Zapata's a good defender in center, but Puello carries far less value in right, where his utter lack of power is big negative. Put a gun to my head and ask me right now, and I'll say Puello probably needs to repeat Savannah, but a big second half could change my mind.
8-4-10: - there’s been very little pressure this year on Puello, who’s doing a decent job for Savannah (.296/.369/.367/.736 in 368-AB) this year. The 19-year old hasn’t showed much pop but he has produced 27 doubles and walked 30 times. Let’s remember he’s still a teenager and I expect him to move on to St. Lucie for the 2011 season.
8-5-10: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/8/5/1606179/2010-top-20-new-york-mets - Cesar Puello, OF, Grade C: .293/.377/.363 with 44 steals in 53 attempts for Savannah. Loads of speed, plate discipline is so-so, lacks power, just 19 years old.
8-6-10: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2010/2610479.html - Why He's Here: .538/.600/.654 (14-for-26), 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBIs, 4 R, 4 BB, 2 SO, 7-for-8 SB - The Scoop: Stop me if you've heard this one before. Puello projects as a five-tool right fielder—but only if his bat develops. Well, develop it has. When Puello and the Sand Gnats hosted Kannapolis on June 7, the teenager had slumped to a .229/.315/.276 batting line. Visions of a demotion to the short-season New York-Penn League must have danced in his head. But in 52 games since then, Puello has taken the Sally League by storm, batting .374/.456/.465 (70-for-187) while smacking 12 doubles and showing an exemplary 18-to-26 walk-to-strikeout ratio and a 26-for-33 (79 percent) showing in stolen bases. How far has he come? Puello now ranks 10th in the SAL in batting (.299) and second in steals (45) and runs scored (79).
2011 Forecast: Let's first remember that Puello played the 2010 season as a 19-year old. There is so much ceiling here... 404-AB, .292/.375/.359/.734, 22-doubles, 45-steals... he batted .305 for GCL in 2008... .296 for Kingsport in 2009... and .292 for Savannah in 2010... and... he's only 19. Yes, this is another Mets prospect with little pop, but isn't thatThere's no doubt that Puello will move on in 2011. My educated guess is St. Lucie to play in a possible all-star outfield with Darrell Ceciliani and Cory Vaughn.
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