One of our MMO readers, Juan Manuel, shared an update on Wilmer Flores who is playing Winter Ball in Venezuela:
Wilmer Flores, fresh off a stint at the conditioning camp with Mr. Barwis, has returned to the Venezuelan Winter League. In his first three games he has 5 hits in 14 at-bats with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored with a 971 OPS.
Small sample for sure, but he has hit the ground running. Something curious also, last year Flores hit better when playing anywhere but SS. In his first three games he played third base twice going 4-for-8 with his HR, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored, his game at shortstop saw him going 1-for-6.
As I said small samples, but I will monitor this the rest of the offseason and see if he continues to produce more at the plate when playing anywhere other than SS.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this Flores situation ultimately plays out. Will he be our Opening Day shortstop? Or second baseman? Or will he be dealt?
Flores has been impressing Mets brass with how hard he’s working on his agility and fitness during the team’s off-season conditioning program in Port St. Lucie.
Sandy Alderson said recently: “I’m one of those people that says put him out there and see what can happen, which is why we played him so much last year.”
“I think the issue has always been whether he can play defensively adequately or better,” Alderson said. “And a lot of us think he has the ability or the potential to do that.”
But then again, I’m wondering if Alderson is just blowing smoke in light of the fact that he continues to work the shortstop market and is reportedly checking in with some teams daily.
Nevertheless, the 23-year old Flores keeps doing what he does at the plate and few doubt he’s going to be a very productive major leaguer. 2015 could be his breakthrough season.
