#6
Wuilmer Becerra, OF
Biography: Born October 1, 1994 in Caracas, Venezuela, Becerra signed with the Blue Jays during the 2011 international amateur signing period as 16-year-old SS/OF. As one of the top prospects in that year’s international amateur class, he signed for the hefty sum of $1.3 million and started his career in 2012 on the Blue Jays Gulf Coast League affiliate. Unfortunately, he played in just 11 games that year as his season was cut short after he suffered a broken jaw from a hit by pitch. It was that winter that Becerra was included as part of the package the Mets received in return for Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey. Becerra was relatively unknown and, as such, was infamously labeled as the “non-elite” prospect in a package that included top prospects Noah Syndergaard and Travis d’Arnaud.
Scouting: Becerra’s athleticism, plus-plus speed, raw power, and makeup were praised before he was signed. Opinions were mixed on his bat, though some scouts felt he was one of the top right-handed hitters in his class. It was clear that his days as a shortstop were numbered due to his size, hands, and what was perceived to be a below-average arm for the position. Unsurprisingly, the Blue Jays moved him to the outfield right away in 2012 where he played a few games in right and left before his injury. The Mets plugged him in right, where his arm has played up as above-average, after acquiring him and have kept him there since. Though his speed has become more on the average side as he’s filled out physically, he’s starting to grow into his power as well. His strong arm with average speed and range is a good profile for a right fielder.
2015: Becerra’s 2015 season with the Mets’ Low-A affiliate in Savannah was his first on a full-season team and it was a resounding success. He slashed .290/.342/.423 with an OPS of .765. He was 15th in the South Atlantic League in extra-base hits as a 20-year-old, with nine home runs, 27 doubles, and three triples. He also stole 16 bases and had a 33/96 K/BB ratio, adding to what is continuing to evolve into a well-rounded tool set. The Mets have moved him methodically through the system, skipping only Brooklyn, so he’s likely to start the 2016 season in Hi-A St. Lucie where he’ll look to continue building on his success. He’s as strong a candidate as any that the Mets’ have in their system to breakout next year.
Brian: “If he makes it, will the anti-Alderson crowd refuse to give him any credit, since he didn’t sign him and used one of Omar Minaya’s guys to acquire him? Also, I’m trying to figure if I want the Mets to hold onto Wilmer Flores so they can feature a lineup with Wilmer and Wuilmer in it one day.”
David: “Becerra could end 2016 at the very top of this list. Based upon his 2015 numbers in Low-A a solid year in Advanced A could mean that we have a blossoming superstar.”
Rob: “Becerra is a personal favorite of mine. He was viewed as a lottery ticket at the time of the Dickey deal, and it’s currently looking like that ticket might just pay out. He’s an athletic RF with an above-average arm. He gets on base and is starting to tap into his raw power.”
James: “The trade that just keeps on giving. Becerra showcased his power stroke in Savannah, as he hit 9 homers with 27 doubles and 3 triples. The young 20-year-old should be starting for the Mets in a couple of years.”
R.A. Dickey for Noah Syndergaard, Travis d’Arnaud, Wuilmer Becerra, and Vic Black (basically, giving Byrd the credit for Herrera. Wonder if we can do a top ten all-time best heists in MLB history, or at least the last 40 years?
I just looked up the Von Hayes trade; Trillo and Franco were very good players, but Vukovich, Willard, and Baller weren’t. So, this trade tops that.
If Becerra reaches his potential, this would have to go down as one of the best ever.
Wilmer and Wuilmer—good going, Brian.
Perhaps the late ex-Met Vinegar Bend Mizell would have enjoyed that.
I’ve always been particularly hopeful about Becerra. Again, I like that he’s an athlete first, rather than a plate discipline guy first and foremost. And obviously, everybody in the world realizes that it was a great trade, so stop trying to knock over straw men.
From Wikipedia: “A straw man is a common form of argument and is an informal fallacy based on giving the impression of refuting an opponent’s argument, while actually refuting an argument which was not advanced by that opponent.”
What pretend argument do you think this article is addressing?
I have been advocating signing Cespedes (for RF) and trading Granderson, which would likely block Becerra down the road, I still would like to sell high on Granderson, but maybe if Wuilmer is fully ready by 2018 sticking with Gandy, a short-time signing (say, Span) and a home-grown (Conforto-Nimmo/Legares-Becerra) OF in 2 years would be very nice. D
YT Wuilmer will be ready for prime time in 2018?
Come to think of it, there could be a home-grown IF by then too. (Yes, I consider Dilson and Wuilmer home grown — from seedlings if not seeds)
That would great. I said it a few times before. Glad to see someone else write it.
When a Single A guy is one of your top prospects your system is weak.
That’s not true at all.
Yeah this is not true. The system has definitely thinned, but this speaks more to Becerra’s potential than the Mets’ system.
I have followed Wuilmer since the trade and he seems to be maturing nicely. Maybe he will turn into a D Strawberry clone (without the drugs). And yes it was only low A ball, but he has tamed his leagues so far. This year we may find that we have another gem. And I did worry over the Rule 5 Draft.
Yeah I was kind of upset that they didn’t protect him. Obviously they knew better than we did. Ha.
I’ve only seen short clips on this guy—and they seem to have done a lot to de-complicate his swing. I’ve not been a big fan, but it’s tough to argue against a “toolsy” 20 year old with perceived power who OPS’s mid 7’s in that Sally League.
Any indication whether he’s starting back in The Sally, or is he moving to St. Lucie?
I can’t imagine any reason he wouldn’t open the year in St. Lucie. I’d say there’s more of a chance opening in Double-A than there is a repeat of the SAL.
It is clear that he has amazing potential with a very high ceiling. Really surprised, even being so far away, that he was not picked in the Rule 5 draft. If all goes well he could be at Bingo by year end with Vegas in 2017, and ready to plug into the Grandy man’s RF spot in 2018.
Funny how Nimmo has now become an after thought unless he can put together a solid AAA year at Vegas. Then at best he is a platoon in 2017 with Lagares.
I was fortunate to see Becerra a few times over the course of last season. Each time I observed him there was marked improvement in his play. He is a five tool player who defensively has a stong arm and covers right field with his speed. His printed offensive stats match up to his actual results. He can hit. He is good enough, if he continues his developement, to become the Mets future right fielder as early as 2018.