The Rockaway Wave
Originally published April 28, 2023
Ahead of opening day, Cyclones manager Chris Newell named Cesar Berbesi one of the players who could start to turn some heads in 2023.
“I fell in love with that kid the first day I saw him in extended spring two years ago,” Newell said.
Through the first three weeks, Berbesi, a 23-year-old from Venezuela, is showing why his manager had so much confidence in him. So far, there has been no better hitter in Brooklyn — and maybe even the entire Mets minor leagues — than Berbesi.
He’s hitting well over .300, getting on base over 50% of the time and walking about the same amount as he is striking out.
The most impressive thing about what he’s doing though? He basically didn’t play in 2022.
“[I’m] very grateful that [I’m] able to play this year,” Berbesi said through hitting coach Richie Benes, who was acting as a translator. “Last year [I] was very frustrated, and it was tough just not being able to play. [I’m] very grateful to be on the field this year.”
It was a hamstring injury that kept him out for most of the season, and Berbesi said he spent that time working to get and keep them healthy. He said that it was tough and frustrating at times, and it took a lot of focus to get through it.
“Simply just being disciplined,” Berbesi said. “Staying disciplined with what [I] enjoy. Remembering that this is what [I] like to do. Just being very, very disciplined.”
It was tough for the coaching staff too, Benes said, because they know how good he is and wanted him to play. Berbesi played 18 games at Low-A St. Lucie in 2021 and started the year there again in 2022, so it’s likely he would have made it up to High-A Brooklyn at some point last season.
Now, it’s on the coaching staff to help keep him healthy in 2023. That includes making sure he does what he needs to in terms of treatments and general care, but it’s more than that, Benes said. It’s about helping him learn how to be a professional.
“Sometimes when you hit a ground ball, everyone wants you to hustle 100%,” Benes said. “Sometimes, at the professional level, when you hit a ground ball, you know you’re gonna be out. Don’t blow it out.”
Berbesi missed a handful of games this season with migraines but otherwise has stayed on the field as the Cyclones’ primary shortstop. He has experience at short, second and third in the minor leagues and said he likes them all.
At the plate, he’s been on fire.
He has maybe the best approach on the team and is more than willing to take his walk, with his 10 free passes ranking second on the team. He only trails Kevin Parada who has 11, but Berbesi has 29 fewer plate appearances as of Wednesday.
“[I’m] very happy that’s the turnout right now,” Berbesi said. “[I] give credit to [my] pitch selection, swinging at good pitches and just being patient.”
He’s not just a hitter who only walks though — he’s hitting .333. With 10 hits through his first 30 at-bats including a double and triple and his 10 walks, his OPS is up to .945 through his first nine games. That leads the Cyclones, even narrowly beating out Stanley Consuegra who has four home runs and nine extra-base hits.
Benes, who said he started working with Berbesi in 2019, has been impressed by his work ethic and discipline.
“He just works hard,” Benes said. “What he does in BP and early cage work he takes on to the game. He will not swing at pitches out of the zone in batting practice, and he does the same thing in games. He’s very aware of the zone and very aware of what he wants to put in play.”
Berbesi is impressing everyone right now. His manager thought he’d be one of the standout players on the roster in 2023. So far, he was right.
“He knows how to play the game,” Newell said. “He’s fun, fun kid to watch. He’ll put together great at-bats for you and he’ll make the plays defensively, and before the game starts he’s reliable.”
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