On December 17, 2012, the New York Mets completed a trade sending 2011 National League Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays. In this trade, the Mets acquired veteran catcher John Buck, starting pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard, and catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud.
Syndergaard has become one of the best pitchers in baseball at just 24 years old and while he struggled last season, d’Arnaud was a key part in the Mets 2015 success.
The last piece in this trade is working his way through the Mets system, outfielder Wuilmer Becerra. Becerra is an up and coming 22-year old outfielder from Venezuela. He is currently trying to work his way into the organization’s future.
Becerra is a right-handed hitting outfielder, he was recently named the No.11 prospect in the Mets system by us here at MMO. In Single-A St. Lucie, Becerra hit .312/.341/.393 with a home run and 34 RBIs in 65 games. Before undergoing season ending shoulder surgery to repair a torn capsule, he was named to the Florida State League All-Star team.
Defensively, Becerra is said to have a strong arm in right field. A major league talent evaluator told Mike Puma of the NY Post.com, “he’s a good player, but what he is, I can’t tell you yet. He’s big, strong, good throwing arm, not much speed.”
The organization would consider moving him across to left field if necessary. He was seen taking fly balls in left earlier this week in camp.
The Mets look forward to seeing what the kid can do over a full season, however they certainly are hoping for some more in the power department. He has never hit more than nine home runs in a season. Mets GM Sandy Alderson told Puma, “his development is probably a little behind, but he has shown a lot of promise … if he shows more power, he’s going to be an outstanding player.” At 6-foot-3 225 pounds, he should develop into more of a power hitter.
Becerra told Puma, “I have power, but sometimes I don’t use it.” He has also been working in the cages with the hitting coach.
He had just one home run in 2016 for St. Lucie but it’s tough to hit for power when you have a serious shoulder injury. In 2015, he hit nine home runs and had a .423 slugging percentage while playing his home games at the extremely pitcher friendly Grayson Stadium.
Becerra was added to the Mets 40-man roster this past offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft and was given a Spring Training invite to major league camp. Alderson said, “He’s earned all the attention he’s gotten in the last couple of years.”
If Becerra works out in New York, this trade could be even bigger win for the Mets. At only 22-years old, Becerra definitely has some room to grow and could be a part of the Mets future plans.
