20
2012
MMO Prospect Pulse: Wilmer Flores, IF
An article by 
If you believed everything that you’ve heard, you might be under the impression that we have the next Miguel Cabrera in our system. I don’t mean to burst your bubble, but I’m not signing up for that just yet. Does that mean I don’t believe in Wilmer Flores? Quite the opposite actually – I just don’t like putting lofty expectations on young players.
Flores is and has always been a highly ranked prospect in the Mets system. In 2007, Flores was signed as an international prospect out of Venezuela. He has been on Baseball America’s Top 100 prospect list for a little while now. Prior to the 2009 season, he was ranked 47th. He dropped to 88th and eventually moved his way back up to 59th pre-2011. He immediately drew comparisons to Miguel Cabrera. Unfortunately for the Mets, it looked like Flores was falling flat on the expectations that were placed on him.
His skill set includes an above average infield arm, and although he was originally signed as a shortstop the consensus is that he will eventually move over to a corner infield position (3B or 1B) or maybe even a corner outfield spot. His reaction time is pretty solid and he has good hands at the position, so it makes sense to believe that Flores will be seeing much more time at 3B in the future. He actually saw more time at 3B than any other position in 2012, while also playing many games at 2B.
Flores’ real claim to fame, however, has been his bat. He has been described as having slow feet at times, and you hardly ever see him swipe a base. Overall, his offensive capabilities have always been looked as well above average – he has shown the ability to hit for a high average and his power has been developing over the years. He stands at 6’3” / 190 lbs at this point and at a ripe old age of 21, he still has some time to fill out his frame. The hope is that he will end up with above average MLB power as he fills out.
Although he sputtered slightly throughout his earlier years, it was masked by the fact he was playing against much older competition. He showed some promise in 2010 when,at age 18, he put up at .289/.333/.424 line across two levels. He had 11 home runs, 36 doubles, and drove in 81 runs, while scoring 62 of his own. His 2011 season was a little disappointing, but Flores came roaring back in 2012 while cruising through St.Lucie and onto Double-A Binghamton. And now he is following it up with some stellar play in Winter Ball.
In 2012, he posted a .300/.349/.479 slash line with 18 home runs, 30 doubles, and two triples. He drove in 75 runs and actually improved not only his batting average, but even his slugging percentage upon his promotion to Bingo. Read that again. Yes, after promotion, and finishing the year with almost an identical amount of at-bats in two levels, he actually IMPROVED across the board. He doubled his overall home run production from last year (18 v 9), and he set career highs in runs scored and walks while keeping his strikeout rate steady. He also approached his career high in hits and RBI in about 50 less plate appearances.
Take a glance at the stats down in Winter Ball, and the new consistent Wilmer Flores continues to impress. In 27 games, he is batting .307 (31-101) with three homers, seven doubles and eight runs batted in.
I still believe in the idea that his power will continuing to develop, and right now, he is already showing the potential to hit 20 home runs and 35 doubles consistently over a full season.
The star that shines for Wilmer Flores is extremely bright right now, and it actually seems to be getting brighter. It is plausible to say that his power might not improve, but even as a regular who can bat .290 and hit 20+ homers at third base or even as a corner outfielder, that still looks good as the worst possible scenario.
Wilmer Flores ETA: 2014
About the Author: Satish Ram
I am a Senior Writer and Editor here at MetsMerized - where I specialize in Minor League coverage. I have been on the staff since 2007 and I am currently in my third semester of college in New York City. You can find me at www.facebook.com/SatishRam or @SilverHeatMMO. Feel free to message me - I love talking about the Mets or baseball overall with anybody.
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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 |
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Introducing your 2014 Opening Day 3rd Baseman…
Wilmer Flores !!!!
THIS^^^^^
I truly hope that he continues to develop and forces the Mets to make room for him. It will be telling if the Mets re-sign Wright what position he plays in the minors. Does he have the ability to play 2B? Really defense is a question period. If the Mets were confident that he is a near can’t miss and 3B is his position then it really should impact their negotiations with Wright. Should be an interesting year for him regardless.
TRS I brought that up in another post and jessep brought up some good points, “Don’t forget Flores played 24 games at 2B in AA this year, compared to 26 at 3B – if they viewed him as the replacement for Wright by 2013 why have him play 2B in Double A?
I mean he just cracked AA for the first time in his 5th year as a pro. To think he’s “ready” for 2013 is a little far fetched for me. I’d equate him to Tejada maybe 2 years ago.”
My thinking was that they were not as sure about him after 2011 and thought his bat might play better at second and then after he showed a bounce back they may have decided that he could replace Wright. Another point to note is that even if they sign Wright that doesn’t make him untradable. Lately anyone we sign long term like this has declined so badly or been injured so much that we haven’t been able to trade him. I doubt Wright will be like that for at least the first 4 years of the contract. Flores could also be bundled, (If Wright is signed,) to go and get us a RF’r. I would be ok either way.
With Flores on the horizon and Murphy possibly being a place-holder at 3B if Wright is moved what are some of the players that the Mets could sign using the $120 million or so they saved on Wright?
I’d consider Michael Bourn to fill three immediate needs.
1. Offensive minded center fielder
2. Strong defense up the middle.
3. Speed at top of the order.
Joe, as much as Bourn would make a strong addition, wouldn’t it be imperative to watch out for a man approaching 30, wanting a big contract? I’m afraid of the Mets getting burned again for another thirty-something outfielder, especially after getting rid of a certain albatross.
Well I agree with you. I’m operating under the assumption he’d sign for $75-80 million and not the kind of money Weight would get. BTW who do you like better Bourn or BJ?
Bourn, without question. Never was fond of BJ, but I wont be shocked if he ended up with 30+ HRs should he end up in Philly.
King Felix – 2014 free-agent
Felix – ace
Dickey – ace
Harvey – potential ace
Wheeler – potential ace
Niese – good 3 starter
Parnell, Mejia, Familia, Gee, in the pen as home-grown relievers
Trade Wright for a SS, move Tejada over to 2B
move Murph to 3B, trade him at the end of 2013 after his value goes back up…
promote Flores to 3B in 2014
Flores, SS, Tejada, Ike, as your pre-arb/arb-elig infield
SP – set
Relief – set
now you just have to work on OF and Catcher
I would save DW money to try to get King Felix in 2014 in a heart beat.
Bay, here’s the problem. You know as well as I do that if the Mets trade Wright they will also trade Dickey and go with a 50M payroll for 2013.
AND????? what’s your point?? we all know they’re rebuilding, you really think anybody would care? Harvey, Wheeler, Davis and the prospects or young talent we get for both of them would make many, and i mean many fans giddy…. all the money we have saved we can throw at King felix in 2014 and off we go as damaja pointed out!
Read Alex:
“what are some of the players that the Mets could sign using the $120 million or so they saved on Wright?”
And I am saying that I would expect them to spend very little if any of the money saved.
Agreed.
Money saved by not paying Wright probably just goes to pay down the Mets debt. Which is just sad….
no I don’t know as well as you do about that. I see absolutely NO connection. I see it as if Wright is traded all the MORE Dickey will be kept to help anchor a potentially strong rotation.
If you like winning games and trying to compete than that’s the way to go. Keep the pitcher and use the over-rated bat to fill other holes like as Joe D said – Michael Bourne and solve 3 hugely important holes for the Mets – as related to wanting to WIN and try and fight for the post season in 2013. Remember there are 2 wild cards and if you think that’s silly than you have a loser’s mentality.
same here
I guess it depends on what they get back from the trades. I really want them to go after an outfielder or two in trades. I don’t really care for the options in FA. Actually, I don’t care much for this FA class. Grienke, he might go bat crazy in NY, hmmmm well starters are always a good decision. Haren and Broxton maybe.
Flores, if he starts the year at AAA, will have some terrific stats in Vegas. He might hit 35 there if he plays a full season at that level. Of course, Tejada would hit 10 in Vegas if he played there.
I love it Damanja!!!! I’ll take that any day over what’s been happening.
I never like or agree with Damanja or Alex, but I like that plan a lot more than over paying Wright. Especially when they have limited funds.
This kid will be a stud… Why overpaid for an OR 3rd baseman with signs of decline all over the place, with history of back problems lingering… Move on from the choke jobs of 2006-2008, clean house, save as much as you can and with Wheeler and Harvey leading the way, go hard after the biggest need we show in 2013… Don’t care if it’s a $40 million dollar payroll, i think TC will lead this kids into being good baseball player instead of having a ego maniac so called captain yelling at the manager in front of everyone to show he’s the guy running the clubhouse.. Trade him NOW that his value is at its highest, noone will touch him when he’s on the decline big time and making $20+ million per year.. Please Jeff Wilpon, do not budge!
Alex, I think that was the most optimistic post you have made in like two years lol. I would be ok with Wright here next year but if things went that way I wouldn’t be upset either.
Thanks Nathan… I am glad i am slowly but surely making some of you who are undecided on DW see the light…
LOL I am not undecided I am ignorant lol. I have no idea what is actually going on behind those oak doors. Wright might be a total @$$ outside of the public and the cameras, I’d have no idea. On the field he’s a good ballplayer, not sure that warrants a 7 year contract but hey it ain’t my money, I just wanna see improvement and winning. With or without Wright. I do think Flores is going to make the FO make a decision in a year or two.
I think the Mets played Flores at 2nd this past season to try and find a position for him in the event they do sign Wright. I’ve never seen him play 2nd but he’s had better fielding stats at 2nd then SS or 3rd. Of cousre 26 or so games is not nearly enough of a sample to draw any conclusion. But if they do sign Wright, and he does work out at 2nd, an infield of Wright, Tejada, Flores and Davis doesn’t sound bad.