From the Mets’ official Twitter account:
Happy (early) Birthday Wilmer Flores!! Flores, born on August 6, is on his way to New York!!
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 6, 2013
Flores had been hitting .322/.358/.532/.890 with 15 home runs at AAA Las Vegas. According to Jorge Castillo of the Star Ledger, the corresponding 25-man roster move will likely be to move closer Bobby Parnell to the Disabled List.
Flores has played mostly second base this year in the minors, but has also seen time at third and first bases.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the Pacific Coast League, the league the Las Vegas 51’s play in is a big hitter-friendly league, and Cashman Field (the 51’s home stadium) is known as the Coors Field of the PCL.
Steamer projects Flores to hit .252/.290/.367/.657 in the major leagues this season.
he’s ready…he has nothing left to prove, offensively, in AAA
Hopefully this means a lot less of Justin Turner while DW is on the DL.Fire Terry Collins!
right on steevy!
If the Mets feel that Flores is a long term part of the team then they should play him at 2B ( or 1B if they truly feel he can’t handle 2B). The important thing is to play him regularly and at only one position. Don’t bounce him around because that won’t increase his proficiency in the field. Keep him away from 3B because that isn’t a permanent solution since that belongs to Wright. As for Murphy, his value is that of a utility (1B, 2B, 3B) player so temporarily moving him to cover 3B is no big deal. Collins should not be allowed to use Flores as he has done with other players up from the minors. Play him regularly. Better yet, fire TC and let someone else do the job the correct way.
I disagree on a couple of things here.
1. Flores value *may* come as trade bait and if so the acquiring team may want him as a 3B. If so, then it’s important that he play that position so he can be scouted. I’m guessing teams have already scouted him while he’s played 2B in the minors.
2. Murphy has way more value than as a utility player. He’s the seventh-best 2B in the majors by fWAR. His .713 OPS would also place him in the top half of the league among 3B. Just because he’s capable of playing multiple positions does not mean he is a utility player. It means he’s a really good ballplayer.
Strongly agree about Murphy, Brian. He’s proven himself as a Major League player, and a decent one at that. Flores is a prospect with some buzz – let’s see what he can do.
By the way, I’ll be at the game today. If I get any worthwhile pictures, are they anything you might have interest in for graphics on the site?
Absolutely – send over anything that’s good.
Alright, that’s more like it. And he’s starting at 3B, so that answers that question.
Great news on Flores….some silver lining as we get an opportunity to judge his performance at a major league level.
Bit of a steep learning curve for Flores thats for sure. Not a great night out, but its nice to see him up.