Rafael Montero parlayed a huge 2012 season into a Spring invitation.
This was published over three months ago on Mets.com, but I thought it was a good way to review where we left off as we get set for a new Mets minor league season. Here’s a positional review of last season’s positional all-stars.
C – Cam Maron, Savannah: A 2009 34th-round Draft pick, Maron ranked second among South Atlantic League catchers with a .300 batting average and drew 53 walks while striking out 73 times. The Long Island native collected 25 extra-base hits while compiling an .811 OPS in his first season with the Sand Gnats.
1B – Josh Satin, Buffalo: Satin continued to do what he’s done throughout his Minor League career — hit. Though his .286 average for the Bisons was a career low for the 2008 sixth-round pick, he supplemented that with a career-high 14 homers while playing three infield positions. Satin finished fourth in the International League with 77 walks and second with a .391 on-base percentage.
2B – Alonzo Harris, St. Lucie: The 23-year-old Harris led the organization with 40 stolen bases, a mark that was good for fourth in the Florida State League. He also established career highs with seven triples, 74 runs scored and 127 hits, batting .287 for the Mets. He ended the season on a high note, hitting .298 with six homers after the All-Star break.
SS – T.J. Rivera, St. Lucie: Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2011, Rivera led the organization with a .320 average and earned South Atlantic League All-Star honors. The Bronx-born Rivera, who grew up a Yankees fan, did a little of everything, compiling 42 extra-base hits, driving in 66 runs and stealing 11 bases while reaching the Florida State League in his first full Minor League season.
3B – Wilmer Flores, Binghamton: After a disappointing 2011 in which he batted .269 with nine homers, Flores rebounded nicely in 2012. The Mets’ No. 3 prospect slugged 18 homers, batted .300, was named MVP at the Florida State League All-Star Game and earned a trip to the All-Star Futures Game. Still only 21 years old, he actually got better following his promotion to the Eastern League, posting an .856 OPS for the B-Mets, as opposed to a .799 mark for St. Lucie. He was named the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year in early September.
OF – Cory Vaughn, St. Lucie: The son of former Major League All-Star Greg Vaughn was the only 20-20 player in the organization in 2012. He slugged 23 homers and stole 21 bases while getting caught only four times. Despite hitting .243, Vaughn managed a .351 on-base percentage, thanks to a team-high 65 walks.
OF – Fred Lewis, Buffalo: Although he did not join the Bisons until May, Lewis easily was the club’s best player and was named MVP. The veteran outfielder batted .294 with 13 homers, 45 RBIs and 25 stolen bases while compiling an .862 OPS.
OF – Matt den Dekker, Buffalo: Despite struggling with his batting average after a June promotion to Triple-A, den Dekker put together a solid season, slugging 17 homers and finishing second in the organization with 76 RBIs. The 2010 fifth-round pick tied for third with 21 steals and scored 83 runs. Perhaps even more impressively, den Dekker racked up 11 outfield assists.
RHP – Rafael Montero, St. Lucie: Montero put a stamp on his season in back-to-back starts, fanning 14 on July 31 and taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning on Aug. 8. Overall, the 22-year-old went 11-5 with a 2.36 ERA and held foes to a .212 average.
LHP – Darin Gorski, Binghamton: Though a 9-8 record and 4.00 ERA might not scream All-Star material, Gorski limited Eastern League opponents to a .244 average. He also ranked seventh in the league with 118 strikeouts and tied for 11th with a 1.27 WHIP. That followed a 2011 season in which he was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Year.
RP – Adam Kolarek, Binghamton: Kolarek distinguished himself in his time in the Florida State League, leading all relievers with 11.05 strikeouts per nine innings. Overall, he tied for second in the system with 19 saves, recording three wins and a 2.70 ERA over 63 1/3 innings between St. Lucie and Binghamton.
