Labor Day’s game was pretty brutal. The Mets team had a tremendous six-error game against the hated Miami Marlins, in which young second baseman Dilson Herrera committed two of those blunders. He also had a spectacular day at the plate, however, hitting his first career home run, and first career triple, on his way to a three RBI afternoon. For a man who tops out at 5’10” and 160 lbs, he was sure able to get a ball into the Clevelander bar pretty easily.
The same level swinging approach that got him called up to Double-A earlier this year, is the same one that got him an even bigger call-up to the big club just last week. His home run and his triple were both the result of that same swing. He didn’t reach down to get the home run, and the triple was him muscling through a pitch he was late on. For a player on the small side for pro ball, he generates a good amount of torque from his hip movement. That’s really the only part of him that moves during the back swing. It seems to keep him centered and level in the approach, and I think we all have high hopes that will serve him well as a future Met.
The three errors are mildly troublesome. And yet…
Jonathan Mayo wrote of him, “Herrera has a solid arm and he shows good infield actions. He is still improving as a second baseman, but he looks like he’ll be an everyday big leaguer in time.”
Marc Carig of Newsday wrote, “‘He’s going to be a nice everyday player,’ one scout said. ‘He does it on both sides of the ball, with above average power for a second baseman.'”
Carig continues later with, “Defensively, scouts paint a picture of a player with the tools to succeed once he acquires some experience. ‘Very athletic, quick feet,’ said one of the talent evaluators. ‘Needs more consistent rhythm in the field and he’ll adjust.’ Another said to ‘expect a lot of growing pains defensively at second base.'”
Those concerns seem pretty light, and should ease any doomsday fans’ fears. We must keep in mind that he is but a mere lad of 20, and that nerves play a part in his adjustment period. A-ball to MLB in one year is huge, and all the more impressive.
For any minor concern scouts may have about a learning curve for Herrera as an everyday defensive second baseman, I haven’t seen one that signals a flawed player. And by the standards scouts are praising his hitting abilities, especially when behind in the count, he can more than make up for his defense in the long run. Monday was the perfect example. He cost the Mets runs with shoddy defense, but gave the team back three with his bat. I’ll wager his bat makes up the difference quite a bit more often.
He’s a prospect showing promise ahead of schedule, and he is giving the Mets options. He is, The Dilson.
I like Dan Murphy, his leadership, determination and hustle. He will be entering his last year of arbitration and his value is at an all time high. Trading Murphy with one of the three salaried pitchers, Colon, Niese or Gee may be enough to bring in a similar salaried shortstop or corner outfielder.
Herrera needs to show this last month that he can hit better than an average second baseman, somewhere over .700 OPS and a postive wRC+ . I would then be very comfortable to go through his”growing pains” in 2015.
Thanks for the well rounded article Patrick.
It’s interesting to me how the Mets PR machine works. When Dilson Herrera makes gaffes it’s “a learning process” or “rookie jitters”. He doesn’t get slammed for it.
When Wilmer Flores had one bad game defensively it’s all anyone talked about. No one said boo about his two sparkling plays in Sunday’s game.
I hope they both succeed though it’s clear unless Flores starts hitting like Troy Tulowitzski they’re done with him.
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Another Joe Morgan? I hope!
I wish I knew SAs intentions. Is Herrera really making the permanent AA–>MLB jump?
We will for sure need to bear with him for 1+ years to learn and adjust to the speed of the game all around. That he has managed to look passable on defense so far, and actually pretty good with the bat makes me hopeful.
Unfortunately, this coaching staff doesnt seem to ever make fundies a real goal no matter what bilge-water we get from TC to the counter. We cant bunt, pitchers cant throw to bases, fielders make terrible throws on plays they should eat the ball, and were terrible at moving runners in from 3B. If Herrera can play fundamentally sound 2B, Id be plenty happy…Im just not sure our coaches know what that means or how to convey it.
Put him with Wally at Vegas next year. Any questions or concerns the organization might have with his ability to play 2nd can be addressed down in triple a.
well stated Patrick.
The DP ball from Ryan Howard, Utley going to 2B and Flores taking the feed – I think that exposed Herrera’s arm. Seemed to me that the throw took a long, long time to get there. Makes me wonder about any ideas on transitioning toward SS.
I think his hands are quick in everything he does, and he can play. And I think he’s overwhelmed in the field and still playing tight. Things will smooth out.