Wilmer Flores

[Edgy MD]

Like his swing, too.

Pitch recognition, not so much so far.

[Zvon]

JCL, I believe that nickname will only stick if used in context.

Wilmer "Flintstone" Flores.

[Edgy MD]

As long as he hits like Bam-Bam Rubble.

[HahnSolo]

Frayed Knot wrote: Par-Nell to the Dee-Ell is the corresponding move.

Brian Stokes, and his Schaefer crown, breathe a sigh of relief...for now.

[Frayed Knot]

An overview of Flores's baseball life to date -- http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/8/7/4595628/prospect-of-the-day-wilmer-flores-inf-new-york-mets

[Benjamin Grimm]

I find myself hoping that he can be next year's first baseman.

[Edgy MD]

Certainly going to be a lot of interesting decisions, but, you know, may the best men win.

[Frayed Knot]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I find myself hoping that he can be next year's first baseman.

Ideally he could find a position elsewhere as whether he'll ever develop the power you'd like at 1B is a lingering question.

[Edgy MD]

Got the ol' fielding percentage up to .833, too.

[MFS62]

Frayed Knot wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: I find myself hoping that he can be next year's first baseman. Ideally he could find a position elsewhere as whether he'll ever develop the power you'd like at 1B is a lingering question.

I wouldn't mind if he turns into a righty hitting Wade Boggs.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

I was just thinking first base for 2014, and then let the chips fall where they may. It sounds like Wilmer may very well be able to provide about 20 homers per season, which is about what we got from Keith (of course, Keith also provided a Gold Glove) and more than we'd get from Magadan. A first baseman with Carlos Delgado power is great, but not necessary.

[metirish]

I like his swing, seems to really grip that bat. I have noticed a disproportionate about of bile directed at Wilmer on Twitterfrom Mets fans. WTF is that about?, he's just come up.

[smg58]

He's a righty Daniel Murphy right now, but pitch recognition is the key to whether he'll be more than that. The one thing he hasn't done in the minors is draw walks.

[Frayed Knot]

smg58 wrote: ... but pitch recognition is the key to whether he'll be more than that. The one thing he hasn't done in the minors is draw walks.

Or hit for a lot of power* - and that's why ideally I'd like to see him somewhere other than 1st. And, yeah, having him there for 2014 certainly doesn't mean he's anchored there permanently but I think it becomes harder as time goes on to move a guy to a tougher spot on the defensive spectrum once he starts out on the easier side, plus it would be nice if we saw SOME kind of resurgence (or, hell, even a surgence) from either Davis or Duda so Flores isn't forced there simple by lack of a better option.




* There seems to be a divide amongst those who follow this sort of stuff about if/how-much pop he'll develop as time goes on. HR power is often the last thing to develop and, although Met fans have been hearing about this guy for so long and some have had their perspective skewed by the early success of Harper & Trout, it bears remembering that 22 is NOT old for a prospect. Just for comparison, Trout turned 22 yesterday so he's actually one day younger than Flores and he has not 3 RBI but 169, a RoY, and probably should have an MVP - and Harper is 14 months younger than that. But, again, folks have to remember how freakish those two have been at their ages.

[Ceetar]

Well Duda did hit well when he was here and Davis has been hitting for a month now. Duda's only problem is a defensive one and really based on how much defense is really worth as compared to offense. And if having a guy like Lagares in CF mitigates that.

Even if Davis hits like this the rest of the year, like he did last year, I'm not really sure what sort of confidence you go into next year with. It's a tricky situation, and if Flores AND Satin both seem viable at the major league level the rest of the way I'd bet pretty hard on probably at least one, if not two, of Flores,Satin,Davis and Duda getting traded in the offseason.

[metirish]

Interesting last night when Gary mentioned Duda getting optioned to LV he and Keith then talked about the organization changing philosophy, or at least in their opinions that might well be the case.

[Ceetar]

metirish wrote: Interesting last night when Gary mentioned Duda getting optioned to LV he and Keith then talked about the organization changing philosophy, or at least in their opinions that might well be the case.

Just talking I think, not inside knowledge. Duda seems to fit the organizational mold to me.. I'm not really sure why they sent him down, if they do it for more than a week or two seems a dumb way to burn his last option.

I think all it is is they seem committed to this Young/Lagares/Byrd outfield. I personally don't think that's worth keeping Kirk down or burning Duda's option, but then I'm not real sold on Young or Byrd being part of the future. I'd rather bet on Kirk or Duda, but I guess it's not my call? I haven't heard from Sandy in ages on the topic.

[metirish]

Right , speculating no doubt. Duda fits the mould but young seems to have opened eyes here.Obviously different types of players.

[Ceetar]

metirish wrote: Right , speculating no doubt. Duda fits the mould but young seems to have opened eyes here.Obviously different types of players.

I guess I think the Mets need the patient-SLG of Duda more than the speedy type of Young. maybe that's where this organizational philosophy shift plays in.

[metsmarathon]

it could be that they don't want to upset the mix while they try to work out a trade for one of their surplus corner outfielders or first basemen.

[Ceetar]

metsmarathon wrote: it could be that they don't want to upset the mix while they try to work out a trade for one of their surplus corner outfielders or first basemen.

that too. Where are our #waiverwire leaks? get on that Rubin, what else are you good for?

[Frayed Knot]

metirish wrote: Interesting last night when Gary mentioned Duda getting optioned to LV he and Keith then talked about the organization changing philosophy, or at least in their opinions that might well be the case.

It's not so much that they're 'changing their philosophy' as it is just altering the bluepriint on the fly.
Duda was part of their plan but then he got hurt and the OF, at least for right now, is working well all around. That doesn't mean Lucas will never again be in their plans, just that between the current alignment working and Davis (sort of*) hitting again there's no room for him at the moment and therefore no reason to try to force-fit him back into the line-up.



* y'know, except for those home-run things that he used to hit on occasion

[Centerfield]

For all intensive porpoises, the 2013 season is over. Effectively, we are in Spring Training 2014. So, with that in mind...

1. Play EY2 at shortstop and see how he does. He played second base. He's incredibly athletic. Maybe he'll surprise you.

2. Recall Duda. Play him every day in LF (now vacated by EY2).

3. Play Ike Davis every day. He's had 2 bad half seasons, one good half season. See how he does this last half season (or what's left of it). If he thrives, it's a tough decision. If he sucks, I think you have your answer.

4. Byrd should have been traded at the deadline. Now it makes no sense to play him anymore. Every at-bat Byrd takes over the younger guys is a wasted opportunity. He's your bat off the bench.

5. Play Flores at second, move Murphy to 3rd base. We know Murph can handle both positions. No need to worry about screwing him up anymore. We've seen what Murphy can do he's no longer a mystery. But if Flores can handle second base, the pressure to perform offensively is diminished. Flores should play every day, even after Wright returns.

6. Apologize to all pitchers for playing Young at SS, Flores at 2B and Duda in LF. (And if you are reading my post carefully, for playing no one in RF) Encourage them to develop a nasty strikeout pitch. Tell them it will be good for them in the long run.

7. Promote D'Arnaud. Let's see what he's got.

8. Continue to play Lagares every day.

9. Win World Series in 14 months.

[Benjamin Grimm]

If Duda or Davis does anything to establish some trade value between now and the end of the season, then they should be traded. Davis has spent too much time sucking for me to ever have confidence enough in him to give him the regular job. They have to find someone else.

And I'm not at all impressed with Duda. He's not awful, but he's not good enough to be a regular player on a contending team.

[Frayed Knot]

There's no way Eric Young is a SS

[Edgy MD]

Don't worry. He was riding the same wagon for Jordany at shortstop eight weeks ago.

More importantly, did our house counsel just use "For all intensive purposes..."?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think we'll see D'Arnaud soon, and if Terry requires veteran leadershippiness, he plays Buckshot at first base.

The rest of CF's post is all crazy-like.

I don't think Flores will hit enough not to tempt the FO to seek more powa at first base so maybe 2B is for him.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: Don't worry. He was riding the same wagon for Jordany at shortstop eight weeks ago. More importantly, did our house counsel just use "For all intensive purposes..."?

No. I said "intensive porpoises".

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Don't worry. He was riding the same wagon for Jordany at shortstop eight weeks ago. More importantly, did our house counsel just use "For all intensive purposes..."?

no "intensive porpoises"

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: There's no way Eric Young is a SS

How do we know that? I would have bet the house that Murphy would never have the grace to handle second base either.