Slugger staying patient for chance to break in with Mets

Growing up in Southern California, one of Josh Satin’s heroes was former Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shawn Green, a veritable Jewish sports legend.

Satin, the 51s first baseman who also is Jewish, was thrilled, then, when in September he got the chance to play alongside Green on Team Israel in a World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament.

Israel, which beat South Africa and split two games against Spain, failed to qualify for the WBC, but it was still a rewarding experience for Satin, who learned a lot from Green and former big leaguers Brad Ausmus, Gabe Kapler and Mark Loretta, who comprised the coaching staff.

“The coolest part for me was just talking to them, sharing stories, asking them questions and trying to feed off their knowledge to try to benefit my career,” said Satin, who homered in the first inning of Las Vegas’ 13-9 win over Salt Lake on Sunday at Cashman Field.

Satin, who also launched a long homer to left field in Friday’s series opener, is batting .295 this season with 27 RBIs and leads the 51s in homers (8), runs (37) and walks (32).

“He’s probably been more consistent than anyone else so far,” Las Vegas manager Wally Backman said. “He’s a .300 hitter. He gets his hits.”

A career .302 hitter who has compiled a .396 on-base percentage in six minor league seasons, Satin’s defense hasn’t always been silky smooth.

“I’ve had a reputation as a below-average defensive player throughout my career. I think that’s what’s held me back,” Satin, 28, said. “But I work every day all year round to try to make sure that stigma is gone.”

An All-Star in each of the last four seasons, Satin began his career as a second baseman before moving to third base and then to first. He also played a game in left field this year.

“First base is probably his best position,” said Backman, who has been Satin’s manager the past three seasons. “Defense is the thing he needs to improve on the most, but he works on it every day. From when I had him three years ago to this year, he has improved tremendously in the infield.”

Satin has always shined at the plate, never hitting below .286 in a season, which he did last year at Triple-A Buffalo. He hit a career-high 14 homers and had 60 RBIs for the Bisons, and he is on pace for 24 homers this season.

“Does he have enough power to be a first baseman? I don’t know, but I think he’s got enough power that plays (in the majors),” Backman said. “He hits .300 and he’s always been a guy that drives in runs, and that’s what you want.”

Satin hit a combined .323 with 12 homers and 76 RBIs for Buffalo and Double-A Binghamton in 2011, when he made his major league debut for the Mets and singled off Livan Hernandez in his first at-bat. He finished 5-for-25 (.200) in 15 games for New York that year and struck out in his only at-bat for the Mets last season.

“This game’s all about opportunity. I think with the right opportunity, I could have success up there,” Satin said. “I haven’t really had the chance to play at the major league level, so I’ve got to keep grinding and try to stay ready.”

With first baseman Ike Davis struggling mightily for the Mets and expected to be sent down to Las Vegas, Satin may soon get his chance.

Or maybe not. Despite the fact Satin hit .455 (5-for-11) in 12 spring games this season for New York, Backman said some of the Mets brass don’t believe he can succeed in a part-time role.

“A lot of people say if he doesn’t play on a regular basis, he won’t hit,” he said. “I disagree with that. I see what he did in spring training this year coming off the bench.

“Josh can hit. He knows how to hit.”

Satin, a graduate of Los Angeles’ prestigious Harvard-Westlake High School, scored a 1,390 on his SAT when 1,600 was the maximum score, and he earned a political science degree from the University of California. He considered entering law school before deciding to state his case that he could become a successful big league player.

He’s still awaiting the final verdict.

“You never know until you get the chance to play every day,” Backman said. “He’s got to get an opportunity.”

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.