Wilmer Flores has hit the ground running in Spring Training, and while stats don’t matter too much this time of the year, it’s still better than looking for your first hit five games in. Flores is now 5-for-11 with a double and an RBI in four games this spring.
Flores also flashed the leather on Sunday, making three very rangy and difficult plays.
In the first inning, Flores ranged wide to his right to grab a hard hit liner and then fired an accurate throw to first to beat Xander Bogaerts. He then went deep into the hole to throw out Jackie Bradley on a sharp grounder in the third, and in the next at-bat Flores ranged all the way to his left to stop a smash by Christian Vazquez, Flores then got up and beat him with a perfect throw to first.
But despite a solid start by Flores, manager Terry Collins seemed unconvinced that Flores is his shortstop. At least that’s what David Lennon of Newsday thinks.
“When we asked him if Wilmer Flores has looked more comfortable lately at the position — he did make two nice plays Sunday in a 6-3 loss to Boston — Collins had an interesting and revealing answer.
“We’ve got to find out if he can play shortstop,” he said.”
“Whoa. Hold on a sec. We were under the impression the Mets already thought Flores could because, you know, they chose not to sign a proven commodity at that spot during the offseason.”
Lennon asks, what does that make Ruben Tejada, exactly? A backup shortstop on a team that doesn’t have a shortstop?
Infield coach Tim Teufel told Lennon that he believes that in Flores the Mets have themselves a very capable shortstop.
“He wants to be good. He doesn’t just want to be average. He wants to be better than that, so he’s working hard.”
Lennon questions the way Collins views Flores and doesn’t get why he appears to be the lone voice of dissension on the Mets.
“Flores has done his part. He again participated in the team’s offseason conditioning program, which has helped transform him during the past two years into a leaner, more explosive player from a defensive standpoint.”
“He is 23, and usually there is room for significant improvement at that age. The Mets aren’t pushing for a Gold Glove at the position, obviously. Just someone who won’t look as if he’s wearing lead cleats.”
Flores said he’s getting better reads after studying his own teammates make contact during countless hours of batting practice. He also senses that he’s lighter and quicker, and Teufel is arming him with more information than ever before. “I feel awesome,” he said.
Lennon concludes, “What more can the Mets can ask for on March 9, right?”
This is frustrating to me, and what bothers me most is whether Flores senses the lack of confidence from Collins.
