Jan
21
2012

2012 MLB Draft: Trey Williams, 3B, Valencia HS

An article by Craig Lerner

With the hot stove season nearing its end, I’ll be chipping in a lot less on Mets news, and focus more on the upcoming First Year Player Draft in June, as I did last year. I’m currently working on my own “Top 15 Draft Prospects” list and a “Five Players To Watch” piece for the Mets top selections in 2012. Both will be ready in early February. I’m not going to do any mock drafts like I did last year, but instead I’m going to bring you some of the many mock drafts that will be popping on the web only as it pertains to the Mets. It will be a good way to get some perspective on who some see the Mets drafting. I’m also setting up several Q&A style interviews with some of the experts who focus on the MLB Draft. I also want to thank Joe for the spiffy graphic.

Let’s leadoff with this mock draft from Buried Treasure who has the Mets pegged for third baseman Trey Williams out of Valencia High School in California with the #12 selection.

TREY WILLIAMS, 3B – VALENCIA HS, CA.

The Mets are a mess. Financially and ownership-wise who knows exactly what is going to happen. On the baseball side of things, what is clear is that the Mets were unable to retain Jose Reyes and so a rebuild is probably on. Carlos Beltran netted Zach Wheeler last year at the trade deadline and then the Mets drafted Brandon Nimmo. Those two, along with Matt Harvey give the Mets some high-upside talent in the minor leagues. Add Trey Williams, a potential all-star at 3B with a great bat and a great glove, and the Mets farm system will begin to look very healthy. As an aside, I think the Mets should try to trade David Wright while he still has value, along with entertaining the idea of moving guys like Ruben Tejada, Jon Niese and even Ike Davis.

Anyway, back to Trey Williams. Williams is athletic, but his stocky build makes him a candidate for 3B rather than the OF or SS. That same build is indicative Williams’s power, which is impressive. Williams combines that raw, muscular power with elite bat speed that should allow him to be a premium homerun threat as a pro. Williams also has an advanced approach for a high schooler that should allow him to be a complete hitter. The kid isn’t a slouch in the field either. Williams has quick reactions and plenty of arm that should allow him to be an above-average or better defensive 3B. Glove and bat, Williams should be a complete, two-way player, and should be a welcome addition to any farm system.

What, no Mark Appel? Just kidding, I think Williams will most likely be there when the Mets are up, but I have a sneaky suspicion they are hoping that they can use this pick to snatch up an offensive minded shortstop or catcher and I have two names in mind.

About the Author: Craig Lerner

I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.

19 Comments + Add Comment

jessep January 21, 2012 at 6:18 pm

nice job here craig
jessep January 21, 2012 at 6:31 pm

I think it may be in the Mets best interest to look for an arm in that 1st round. I’m not suggesting its a must but I think you need as much insurance in the pitching dept. as you can get.
Brian January 21, 2012 at 5:31 pm

I’m worried about all these high schoolers. We already expended our top two picks last year on high schoolers. 4-5 years is so long to wait and anything could go wrong. Looking forward to more posts like these.
- Bayonne Mets Fan January 21, 2012 at 5:55 pm
  
  I can’t be bothered reading about high school baseball players. How many times we see the great athletes in high school wind up becoming GM at Staples, working for the local plumbing supply company while raising a family and all of that. It’s way too early. Kids at 17 and 18 more than half the time don’t even know what they want yet out of life themselves.
  
  By the same token you can have a kid who was much ado about nothing in HS, then he goes to college, grows, goes through some life and matures and becomes a ballplayer than. Not that even back in the day major league scouts would travel to a high school to go see about a certain kid that’s making some news. Yes that happened but overall reading now about high schoolers?
  I’ll pass.
  - jessep January 21, 2012 at 6:17 pm
    
    So just so nobody is mistaken. You’d rather draft college players over high school players, correct?
    
    Maybe you have read Moneyball….
    
    By the way, I’m not saying I agree or disagree with you but “can’t be bothered with them” is exactly the closed minded view I’d expect from you.
  - Phoenix Met Fan January 21, 2012 at 6:24 pm
    
    Good gravy…you ma’am, are such a whiny bitch
  - SloatsburgMetsFan January 22, 2012 at 11:30 am
    
    What is wrong with you Bayonne? Not only does your post make ZERO sense, its about as rude as can be. Craig awesome post and keep them coming. I for one love this information.
  - NJstuckinTX January 22, 2012 at 11:57 am
    
    Then don’t read, nor post, on articles like this.
Chris in Forest Hills January 21, 2012 at 6:34 pm

Nice job. Considering the questions surrounding Wright’s future with the Mets, Williams might be a nice get for us.

And by the way to Brian, Wright was also drafted out of high school. I would rather draft the player with the highest ceiling regardless of whether he was out of college or HS.
Louis January 21, 2012 at 6:40 pm

I’d much rather see the Mets draft a college player simply because they’ll require less time in the minors, their skills will be more refined, and they’ll be able to help out at the big league level sooner.
- Frankie C. January 21, 2012 at 7:02 pm
  
  That doesn’t always work out. Look at the 2002 draft class. Saunders #12, Francis #9, Bullinton #1 top first rounders out of college and then look at Hamels #17, Grienke #6, Cain #25 out of high school.
  
  Heck look at Mike Pelfrey #9 in 2005, a lot of good all that polish did for us.
Frankie C. January 21, 2012 at 7:04 pm

I’m totally looking forward to more posts like this, great job Craig. Keep them coming!
jdon January 21, 2012 at 7:10 pm

I am leery of high school pitchers because of the injury factor. But look at Strawberry, Griffey, even our own Wright and Reyes. There are many many more. Maybe some people do not want to wait for them but there are so many high schoolers who have come into the league and become great hitters.
Joe Diaz January 21, 2012 at 9:23 pm

Draft the best talent available,whether it’s an arm a bat,HS or college.Best player on the board.At 12 they should come away with a very good player.I’m not sure they did that last year. We’ll find out in a few years I guess.
stick January 21, 2012 at 10:23 pm

Building a system (meaning a talent pipeline) does take time. The comments about HW kids taking 4-5 years just reinforce that.

No one should be expecting HS draftees to appear for 5 years or so. But, the guys drafted 4-5 years should be. The new ones are just filling in the bottom, as the older ones pop out the top.
srt January 22, 2012 at 11:57 am

I could care less if we draft out of high school or college – as long as we draft what’s projected to be the best talent left at whatever picks we have.

Of course, this now made a little more difficult by the $$ cap on drafting….

I’m looking forward to more articles here – like this – involving analysis of the upcoming 2012 draft.
Michael Rodgers January 22, 2012 at 9:15 pm

Thanks for the link! Hope y’all liked the rest of my mock draft.
- Michael Rodgers January 22, 2012 at 9:23 pm
  
  Link to my site, haha, cause that wasn’t clear. Always love a good shoutout and like the site here!
Richard January 23, 2012 at 12:23 am

I’d rather have University of South Carolina 1B Chris Walker in the 1st round then this guy… No offense to anyone.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	42	30	.583	-
Phillies	35	37	.486	7.0
Nationals	34	36	.486	7.0
Mets	27	40	.403	12.5
Marlins	22	48	.314	19.0

Last updated: 06/19/2013

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