Earlier this week in front of an audience at Pitch Talks, Buster Olney of ESPN.com stated that Mets prospect Dilson Herrera will be an All-Star second baseman within three years, and that Daniel Murphy is just holding down his spot.
“I can tell you, having talked with people on other teams, they think Herrera is a legitimate, big time player.” Said Olney.
Herrera was acquired by the Mets along with Vic Black in the August 2013 trade that sent Marlon Byrd and John Buck to Pittsburgh.
Last season between Single-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton, Herrera hit at a .323/.379/.479 clip, with 33 doubles, 5 triples, 13 home runs, 71 RBI and 23 stolen bases.
Herrera, a consensus top ten prospect in a deep Mets system, appeared in 18 games for the Mets last year, batting .220/.303/.407 in 59 at-bats with 3 home runs and 11 RBI.
My guess, and many people’s guess, is that Daniel Murphy will be traded at or before this year’s trade deadline, and if Herrera is ready, he could see a promotion depending on what the Mets decide to do with Wilmer Flores.
