For more than 18 months, not much happened in the professional baseball career of L.T. Struble. April and May of 2021, however, have made up for lost time.

Struble, a native of Hammonton, N.J., and 2019 graduate of Felician University, was drafted by the New York Mets out of Felician in the 29^th round of that year’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but injuries limited him to 18 games and a .231 batting average. That was only the beginning of the uncertainty, however.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down affiliated minor-league baseball for 2020. When it returned for this season, it was trimmed down and realigned, with levels eliminated. For Struble, there was not much in his control about his baseball future during that period.

“After being hurt most of 2019 and then not having a season last year, I wasn’t sure what would happen,” Struble said. “There are so many guys, and with every Major League team cutting a few minor league teams, I didn’t know what the Mets had planned for me. During the shutdown I set up a home gym and worked out and hit in a cage as much as I could. A strength coach and a hitting coach would reach out weekly or biweekly, but I didn’t play at all during that time.”

It was not until late April when Struble learned his time in the Mets’ organization would continue. He reported to spring training and was assigned to Class Low-A St. Lucie. He is currently the only former Felician baseball player competing for an affiliated team.

“I felt like working with the coaches over the phone, I had put myself in the best position I could to succeed,” Struble said. “I was given the chance to come back and earn a roster spot in spring training, and once we got going, I felt I had shown that I could compete with anyone,” he said. “It was tough not knowing how many guys would get cut, and that’s always in the back of your mind. The day they posted the rosters, I was very happy.”

Struble was a two-time NJCAA All-American at Camden County College. In just two seasons as a Golden Falcon, he became Felician’s all-time leader in on-base percentage (.471) while ascending to fourth in career stolen bases (70) and batting average (.369). Primarily a shortstop at Felician, he has played second base and all three outfield positions professionally.

“L.T. has game-changing speed,” said Felician head baseball coach Chris Langan. “He’ll continue to adjust at the plate as he sees higher-level pitching. I’m proud of the work he’s put in. L.T. is so deserving of this chance, and I’m excited for him.”

After seven games at St. Lucie, Struble was promoted to the Class High-A Brooklyn Cyclones on May 18, and started in right field for the Cyclones the next night. While grateful for the opportunity, he is aware that he must continue to earn future chances.

“There is plenty of work that needs to be done,” he said. “It’s a long season and the job’s not finished. I need to continue to stay healthy and work to improve my game in any way that I can.”