Daily Archives: September 10, 2008
Last week, in a chat for ESPN.com, Baseball America’s Jim Callis ranked Mets 17–year-old SS Wilmer Flores as the organization’s top prospect – ahead of Fernando Martinez.
Yesterday, in a mailbag for Baseball America, Callis was asked how he could rank Flores over Martinez, to which he responded:
“Both Flores and Martinez have interesting bats, and the big difference between the two is that there’s more to Flores’ game than just his offense. He has a chance to play a premium position and at worse will be a third baseman, while Martinez will be a left fielder…While Martinez has been pushed aggressively by the Mets and consistently has been very young for his leagues, he hasn’t been overwhelmingly impressive since a 45-game stint in low Class A…Flores will be 17 when he heads to low Class A next year, and I think he’ll outperform Martinez. It’s still very early in Flores’ career, but I’ve had scouts compare his ceiling to Miguel Cabrera‘s.”
In 275 at bats between Single-A Brooklyn and Kingsport, the 17–tear-old Flores hit .306 with eight HR 47 RBI during 67 games.
Callis also answers questions about other top outfielder prospects, as well as Yankees C Jesus Montero, and the state of signing players from the top of the draft, among other questions.
Also, for more on the minors, check out Mets Minor League Blog, where Toby Hyde answers a mailbag question about the pros and cons of moving Triple-A to Syracuse or Buffalo.
Tagged Wilmer Flores |
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Yesterday, during a press conference 
in Shea Stadium, Billy Wagner told reporters that he will have Tommy John Surgery today, after which he will rehab for two weeks with the team before returning home to be with his family through the off-season.
For more on Wagner, check out my post from MetsBlog yesterday, and also check out the New York Post, the Daily News and Newsday.
To watch a clip from Wagner’s press conference, courtesy of 
, click here.
In last night’s win over the Nationals, Carlos Delgado hit two home runs – for the second consecutive game.
Delgado is 6 for 7 with four home runs and seven RBI in his last two games – and is batting .423 during seven games in September.
According to the Brooklyn Met Fan, Delgado has hit ‘Ludicrous Speed,’ complete with YouTube clip.
Meanwhile, Mets Fever has never seen anything like this.
In last night’s post-game comment, I wrote the following:
It’s not like he’s just hitting home runs. This guy is teeing off on the ball like it’s slow-pitch softball…I do not recall ever watching this sort of hot streak before, most all of which occur in such big spots, for such a long time, with such towering power. It’s bordering on hard-to-believe, at this point – and I hope it continues for at least another month.”
Delgado, on his power surge, while speaking to reporters following last night’s win:
“I’m not trying to hit it far, I’m just trying to the ball hard somewhere and if it goes out I’ll take it.”
When asked if he ever recalls having such a hot streak like this before in his career, Delgado said he doesn’t think so, adding, ‘It’s been a lot of fun, but we still have a lot of work to do.’
Following his second home run last night, the crowd in Shea Stadium erupted in to a loud, long-winded MVP chant.
In a post to his blog for the New York Post, Joel Sherman makes the case for Delgado as MVP.
…i made the argument late last week that it will be difficult for delgado to win the MVP if he hits just .260…not because i do not think he’s worthy, because i do think he’s worthy, but because i do not think such stats will impress the national media enough to warrant the necessary number of votes…however, at this rate, he may reach 40 home runs and get close to .280, which will certainly get their attention…
For more on Delgado, read Jay Greenberg’s column for the New York Post, and Ken Davidoff’s column for Newsday.
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