The Edge of Seventeen: Xorge Carrillo

[Edgy MD]

Hey, guys. I'm 2011 draftee Xorge Carrillo. That's two r's and two l's. And one X. For eXceptional baseball. This is my second big league camp and I'm feeling like I'm fourth on the organizational depth chart. Maybe fifth, if Jeff Glenn finds his way back from a lost year. But I don't see Jeff hanging around big league camp, so ha.

I spent most of last year at Bingo, but peeked in on Las Vegas. I've played some damn fine winter ball for Mexicali and I'm hoping to carry that over to some spring success in the WBC. But what's my summer going to look like? 'Cuz I'd like to peek in on New York.

[fimg=193]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_HrNx4U0AAKB7S.jpg:large[/fimg] [fimg=432]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/xorge-carrillo-500x275.jpg[/fimg]
[fimg=375]https://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/03/08/sports/DOG-08powell2/DOG-08powell2-master675.jpg[/fimg]

[seawolf17]

Spends the season bouncing between AA and AAA, then gets a September callup and goes 2-for-10, including a triple off RA Dickey.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

On board with a September look-see. Late-inning defensive specialist, draws a couple walks.

[MFS62]

Another season of long bus rides.
None of them bringing him to the majors.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

He'll be 28 years old in April. Has never played a big league game. I suspect that Travis d'Arnaud may be susceptible to pressure from below, but this guy seems like a bit of a longshot to be the guy who displaces him.

I guess he'll spend most of the year in Vegas, maybe getting one or two brief stays with the Mets.

[Edgy MD]

The catching depth chart probably looks something like this:

New York

1. Travis d'Arnaud
   
2. René Rivera

Las Vegas

1. Kevin Plawecki
   
2. Xorge Carrillo

Binghamton

1. Tomás Nido
   
2. Colton Plaia

St. Lucie

1. Jeff Glenn
   
2. Patrick Mazeika

Columbia

1. Natanael Ramos
   
2. Brandon Brosher

Glenn could move up to Las Vegas quickly if he proves he's healthy, or get a quick release if not, but he starting job in St. Lucie is probably soon to be Mazeika's. The most advanced of those waiting for the short season league or for a spot to open up include Anthony Dimino, Tyler Moore, José Garcia, and José Maria. Look for Dimino to appear in-full season A-ball pretty soon, as his bat was way ahead of the others last year, slugging his way through Kingsport and Brooklyn.

[MFS62]

Mazeika can hit, but I haven't read any reports about his defense. I'd like to see him and Nido quickly progress up through the organization in tandem (Nido one step ahead) to the majors.
I can't remember the last time (if ever) the Mets had two minor league B, A or A+ level catching prospects who showed some skill with the bat coming up through the organization at the same time.

Later

[Lefty Specialist]

Xorge will see this all year.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

"Damn fine winter ball?" Well, I'll stipulate to "fine."

As in, "This Palms buffet is fine, but you know, Treasure Island-- seriously-- is my favorite. No joke. Trust me, man, I spend all season in this town."

[Guest d'Kong76]

Little if nothing Metly in 2017, and yeah dang he's getting old quick.
How do you pronounce Xorge? Is it pronounced the same as Jorge?

[Benjamin Grimm]

It's probably not correct, but I think of it as Zeorge, rhyming with George.

Of course, we still don't know how to pronounce "Jeurys" and he's been around for several years now.

[Edgy MD]

A big part of spring training for me is hearing Gary pronounce names (presumably correctly) that I have known for years, and have been mentally butchering for years. WHO KNEW?!

The big reveal last year was that Travis Taijeron's last name was pronounced "Tyrone." WHO KNEW?!

To me, it's just an alternate spelling for Jorge, and pronounced the same. That's my story until Gary sets me straight.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Gary Cohen is the guy who says Jay-or-reese, so I wouldn't look to him as an authority on pronunciation.

[Edgy MD]

He may not be THE authority, but he's AN authority. No getting around that. When the team's PbP guy says your name, that's how folks is gonna say it.

It's like Bill Klem said about whether a pitch is a ball or a strike: "It's nothing until I call it."

[Edgy MD]

Gary says, "HORE-hey."

[Benjamin Grimm]

That means it's probably "Zeorge".

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

My money's on "CHORE-heh."