Local hero Pedro Beato cracks the New York Mets opening day roster

Pedro Beato / Nicholas Diunte

Once he steps foot on the mound for the New York Mets, Xaverian high school graduate Pedro Beato will have accomplished what every kid with a bat and a glove toiling the New York City sandlots desires - to play big league baseball for the hometown team.

As profiled earlier this spring by our own Marcelo Bravo, Beato represents the hopes and dreams of the thousands of area school-aged children wanting to follow in his footsteps. Blessed with a tremendous arm and a tantalizing 6’4” build, it is apparent why the Orioles offered him a $1 million signing bonus.

Acquired from the Orioles during the Rule 5 draft this winter, Beato will have to stay with the Mets the entire season or else be offered back to the Orioles for $25,000, half of his draft fee. Beato is no stranger to the Mets organization, as they drafted him out of high school in the 2005 MLB Draft, but opted for a year at St. Petersburg Community College when the Mets could not meet his demands for the $1 million he sought as a bonus.

In 12.2 innings this spring, Beato posted a 3.55 ERA. He figures to be used in the bullpen for middle relief. Regardless of whatever capacity he serves for the Mets, Beato will fulfill a boyhood dream when he climbs on the mound fully clad in his Mets uniform. Legions of New Yorkers will be vicariously watching one of their own embark on his major league career.