In Pursuit of MLB's Future
                                                      Wilmer Flores

                                By: Joshua Fischman

 

July 28, 2008 - Week 2: The Future of MLB

New York baseball is once again immersed in playoff fever. After all, its two most popular teams are involved in an urgent dash for the post-season. The Mets are barely leading the National League East, a division that figures to be a three-way drag race to the end. And the Yankees, oh the hated Yankees. How can one avoid hating them? Anyway, the Yankees are as hot as a jalapeno and steak sandwich, straight out of the Davis Sports Deli oven. After trading for outfielder Xavier Nady and pitcher Damaso Marte, and signing designated hitter Richie Sexson, the Bronx Bombers are frightening the red out of the Red Sox and scaring the sting out of the Rays.

Will the Metropolitans finish the season with the bitter taste of dirt (from the Phillies' cleats) in their mouth again? Will the Team That Ruth Built keep their post-season streak alive? These are interesting questions. But to tell you the truth, I'd rather think about the Mets' 16-year-old prospect: Wilmer Flores.

MLB Future Profile: Wilmer Flores

Background:

Heavily impressed by Flores' talent at such a young age, the New York Mets plucked him from his native Venezuela and signed him in 2007 for a lofty $750,000. Thus far, the 16-year-old shortstop has been everything the organization hoped for and more. In his first professional game, at rookie-level Kingsport, Flores went 3-5 at the plate with a three-run home run in the ninth inning.

This season, Flores is in the Top 5 in virtually every offensive category in the Appalachian League. In 143 at-bats, Flores has a vital line of .343/.375/.573 with 7 HR, 6 doubles, and 30 RBI. Through 34 games his OPS is an impressive .948.

Because of his nationality, youth, and talent, Flores often draws comparisons to Tigers All-Star Miguel Cabrera. Despite the immense promise that Flores has shown, it is important to remember that he is only in rookie-ball. He must continue to succeed as he matriculates through the Minor Leagues in order to make it to the big show.

Why I want to see Flores in MLB:

1. His youth excites me; both as a baseball enthusiast and a fellow teenager. I really want to see Flores become the youngest Major League player in the modern era. That would be excellent.

2. Don't call me unpatriotic. But I have to say I love watching Venezuela more than any other country (including the United States) in the World Baseball Classic. You may disagree with Venezuela's foreign policy, or Hugo Chavez's politics (hell, crazed Christian televangelist Pat Robertson even called for Chavez's assassination), but it is clear that the country knows how to turn out star baseball players.

Johan Santana, Miguel Cabrera, Bobby Abreau, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Zambrano, and King Felix Hernandez are just some of the Venezuelan-born studs strutting their stuff in the Major Leagues. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to hear Kirk Gimenez celebrate Flores' first career home run with a wild, "Wilmer Flores...Venezolano!"

3. Aren't you tired of hearing about Derek Jeter, captain of the sinking ship in New York? Yeah, so am I. Flores needs to replace Jeter as the most talked-about shortstop in NY. But it's not going to be an easy task for Flores. Jose Reyes is flashy and talented, yet the talk in New York media continues to revolve around DJ. Once Flores makes it to the bigs, he needs to start dating models and actresses so he can steal press away from Jeter. Are you with me on this?

 

 

 

 

Accolades:

Appalachian League Player of the Week - June 30, 2008

Obstacles to the Major Leagues:

1. The biggest obstacle that Flores will face is growing up; both mentally and physically. While scouts say that Flores is very mature and focused, the kid is still 16 and he's still in braces. Physically, the kid is already 6'3" and he has a lot more growing to do. He may even grow out of the shortstop position.

So, how will all this physical growth affect Flores' play? When athletes get bigger and taller they must make adjustments. Hopefully Flores can make the proper adjustments and use his increased size as an advantage.

2. Moving to a foreign country is difficult for anyone. Imagine what it must be like for a 16-year-old. Remember, it's not like Wilmer Flores moved here from Canada. He moved from Valencia, Venezuela...to Kingsport, Tennessee. Those places are about as polar opposite, both culturally and geographically, as you can get. If you don't trust me, just run it through Wikipedia.

3. In 34 games of play, Flores has only walked four times. As high as his batting average, and OBP, may be this season, plate discipline is not something Flores has seemed to master yet. With that said, however, swinging at bad pitches is often a problem for young prospects.

Estimated Time of Arrival:

Flores is coming soon to a ballpark near you. Since he is only 16, and only playing in rookie-ball, it is difficult to predict when Flores will reach the Major Leagues. Regardless of the difficulty of the guess, my estimation is that he will be in the bigs by 2011. The Mets do not want to rush their young phenom. But if he continues to dominate the Minor Leagues, he could be in the Majors even sooner!

 

 

 

 

 

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