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Wilmer Flores and second base

posted on February 5th, 2012 at 4:52 pm

In a post to SNY Why Guys, Rob Steingall writes:

“[Wilmer Flores'] prospect stock has taken a hit due to stagnation with his bat, but a solid average and moderate pop would play nicely at second base, thus enhancing his value to the club. With Reese Havens already in the fold, but a big injury concern, a Flores move to second would create quite a storyline for the Mets in the future.”

Flores played 15 games at second base for Los Bravos de Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League during the off-season.

Flores hit .269 with 9 HR and 81 RBI in 133 games for Single-A St. Lucie in 2011. He hit .301 with two home runs and ten RBI in 41 games in the Venezuelan Winter League.


Michael Baron (Updated from Dec. 29, 2011): Flores is very strong and tall as he towers over most of his teammates, despite being just 20 years old. He has good gap-to-gap power, but has yet to develop the consistent home run power many people believe he is capable of. He also hasn’t hit for a high average and in 2011 he saw his extra base hit numbers decrease substantially from 2010, and so it’s fair to say Wilmer needs to make great strides offensively in 2012.

I talked to Flores last year in St. Lucie, and he said he is aware of the comparisons to Miguel Cabrera, as well as the buzz he will eventually change positions – whether it’s second base, third base or to the outfield. While he says he’s comfortable with playing another position, he’s still just 20, and so I wonder if this kind of talk could be weighing on him and his performance.