The Edge of Seventeen: Luis Guillorme

[Edgy MD]

Bob Ferguson had a 14-year career from 1871 to 1884—a career taking him from the National Association to the National League to the American Association. He was a notable player in his time (once leading the league with 24 walks), but his name would be lost to history if it hadn't been linked to one of the all-time great nicknames. Bob Ferguson was better known as "Death to Flying Things."

Well, I'm Luis Guillorme, and I'm dusting that name off. You want to throw balls my way, I'll catch 'em. What else you got? A bat? Caught. A tire iron? Snagged. A hot clothing iron? It's in my back pocket.

I haven't played above A ball. I've only been passingly acceptable with the bat, and have exhibited zero power. And yet here I am in Major League Spring Training camp. Why? Because I am Death to Flying Things. I've demonstrated my facility by SAVING BRANDON NIMMO'S LIFE, and already I've taken a big league pitcher deep for a three-run bomb.

What does this foretell? Nothing? EVERYTHING?! Who knows? Maybe you do.

[fimg=233:3a8ikico]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000UNyO38uS3Vo/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G00005KvzMgGWu8A/I0000UNyO38uS3Vo.jpg[/fimg:3a8ikico] [fimg=233:3a8ikico]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000weYJj0zUkqk/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G00005KvzMgGWu8A/I0000weYJj0zUkqk.jpg[/fimg:3a8ikico] [fimg=233:3a8ikico]http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000WvK0isdC5u4/fit=/fill=250x250/g=G00005KvzMgGWu8A/I0000WvK0isdC5u4.jpg[/fimg:3a8ikico]
[fimg=396:3a8ikico]http://media.sny.tv/sny/2017/03/02/images/snyf_1228752283_th_48.jpg[/fimg:3a8ikico] [fimg=306:3a8ikico]https://www.nysportsday.com/nysd30/wp-content/uploads/Guillorme-bat.jpg[/fimg:3a8ikico]

[MFS62]

Splits time between high A and AA, showing decent on base skills, little power and good glove.
The Mets have several infielders who have shown they can hit, at least at the minor league level. But Luis may be someone who can play good middle infield defense. Those guys are valuable. IIRC, he has won a minor league MVP (or was in the top three in voting)
Lets see if he can maintain his average as he rises in level before we can see him making a 25 man roster.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

He may never play in the major leagues, but some day that video of him catching the bat will be sent into outer space so that alien civilizations will be able to see what we're capable of.

[Edgy MD]

He'll be slow to come around to AA pitching, but when a vacancy gets him a AAA promotion (if only a brief one), his numbers will spike accordingly.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

We're not here to sell jeans but even before the miraculous bat-catch I was struck by how much this guy looks like a ballplayer. He's got a kinda big ass and he's not very tall but he wears the uni (and the beard) like a guy who thinks he belongs and that to me is a good sign, and of course the heroics sold that all the more. There's no fucking way he has an ugly girlfriend.

So I predict this guy keeps coming, small but noticeable increases in his stats and his readyiness and maybe gets a September visit in thanks.

[Edgy MD]

Here's Luis going full Rey-O for Spain in last year's WBC qualifier against Colombia:



http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/03/17/556697883/1458255592866/asset_1200K.mp4

[Lefty Specialist]

Never makes the Mets, but earns a modest living with bit parts in Jackie Chan movies.

[MFS62]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He may never play in the major leagues, but some day that video of him catching the bat will be sent into outer space so that alien civilizations will be able to see what we're capable of.

And what device are they going to play that video on?

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

Probably a Betamax.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

He looks like a second baseman. Have we tried playing him at second base? He looks like a second baseman.

[Edgy MD]

He played second yesterday. Played the whole game and went 2-4, sliding over to short mid-game so L.J. Mazzilli could come on and be a HERO.

[Frayed Knot]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: He looks like a second baseman. Have we tried playing him at second base? He looks like a second baseman.

Rumored to have the best hands of just about anyone anywhere, you assume he'd be a SS which he has been for most of his minor league life to date.
But one wonders if getting squeezed between Rosario ahead of him and prospect Giminez coming up from behind will push him out of that spot, although it's not like this current NYM mgmt group to move guys from SS until forced to so I'd expect him to stay in the hot spot until further notice.

[Edgy MD]

Stop being SELFISH and move!

[Guest d'Kong76]

Throw in in the big (huge) July trade.

[seawolf17]

Dude caught a fuckin' BAT. A BAT.

Spends the season in AAA, regardless.