Teenage OF prospect with ridiculous name

METS LOOK AT DOMINICAN TEENAGER JoseJose The acclaimed teenager from the Dominican Republic assumed his stance in the batter's box yesterday at the aged Municipal Stadium in Pompano Beach, Fla., where the Texas Rangers once conducted spring training. Nearby stood Ismael Cruz, the Mets' director of international scouting.

The player, José José, a 16-year-old outfielder, has drawn the interest of a number of baseball's big-money teams.

The Mets were among the first teams to have a private workout with José. On Monday he drove one ball over the wall in right-center field and hit an assortment of line drives. But he also had his share of foul balls and routine grounders.

José was meeting some of his fellow prospects for the first time at the Playball Baseball Academy, where Fred Ferreira, a baseball scout, operates his Win International agency.

"He's a very interesting kid," Cruz said after watching José field, throw, run and hit over an hour and half period. "He's got a good bat."

Ferreira is making plans to have other teams see José. Seattle and Anaheim are on the list, as are the Yankees. The Red Sox may be ready to sign him now. They are the only team that visited José's native San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic to see him work out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/sports/baseball/13base.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin