New York Mets Wilmer Flores Heads the List for Top “Sally” Third Base Prospects
2010 was a good year for the South Atlantic League in terms of third base prospects as a plethora of young Latin American talents worked their way into and through the league. Additionally, the league played host to first round pick Kolbrin Vitek for the last couple week of the season, as well as 2009 second round Nolan Arenado, who has the best power/contact combination of any bat in the league.
Thoughts on B.A.’s Top-20 “Sally” Prospects
Even with a South Atlantic League based site, I still can’t help but be surprised when readers see something written on a site which does a bazillion times the traffic STS does and still asks me for an opinion. It’s truly an honor. As for Baseball America’s Top-20, I have to admit I do not have a subscription to their site. However, I have heard the live chat over there was a little rocky to say the least.
Trade Deadline Values: Jesus Montero vs. Wilmer Flores
Jesus Montero and Wilmer Flores became key names in internet trade banter. While both prospects are excellent in their own right, it’s important for New York baseball fans, as well as prospect fans in general to distinguish between the two. In ranking the top-25 prospects I’ve seen since starting Scouting the Sally, Montero ranks 3rd, while Flores currently sits 8th. On paper, this is not a major difference, but in reality, if Montero were an “A” prospect, then Flores would likely be a “B+”.
Mid-Season All-Scouting Team – The Hitters
As July winds down, I’ve had the opportunity to see more than half the Sally league and thought it would be a good idea to work through a starting lineup and pitching staff of the best talent to pass through this season.
Savannah vs. Asheville: Matzek the Sequel & a Bunch of Sand Gnats Moves
The Savannah Sand Gnats opened up the second half in what was a bittersweet evening at the park for me. For the past year and a half, I’ve seen Wilmer Flores in the Savannah lineup night in and night out without fail. In a changing of the guard, Flores was promoted to Port St. Lucie and slick fielding Wilfredo Tovar was added to the roster.
Scouting Report v2.0: Wilmer Flores, SS, New York Mets
Wilmer Flores struggled through his full season debut leading many to back off the lofty expectations originally laid out for him. Miguel Cabrera comparisons quickly faded and any discussion about Flores quickly became about his not having enough bat to play a corner position (infield or outfield). It seems nobody let Flores in on the conversation as he raked to the tune of a .341/.388/.560 April quieting many of his doubters and once again making him a Mets darling. As Ike Davis powered his way through prospect eligibility, Fernando Martinez fell to yet another injury, Jenrry Mejia threw garbage innings in New York, and the big three (Kyle Allen, Jeurys Familia, and Robert Carson) in Port St. Lucie floundered, Flores was busy cementing himself as the top prospect in the organization.
Prospect Video: Tyler Matzek vs. Wilmer Flores
In another addition of “who did Wilmer Flores face this week?” Uber-prospect Tyler Matzek of the Colorado Rockies overpowered the Savannah Sand Gnats for six strong innings. However, with two hard-hit balls including a double, Wilmer Flores held his own against one of the top pitching prospects in the game. Why not use Scouting the [...]
Prospect Video: Arodys Vizcaino vs. Wilmer Flores
Since seeing Arodys Vizcaino struggle against the Sand Gnats, he has reeled off twenty-three consecutive scoreless innings en route to one of the better stat lines in the “Sally”. In the near future, I’ll be posting quite a bit of video on both including Wilmer Flores versus other quality pitching prospects including Robbie Ross of [...]
Prospect Video: Julio Teheran vs. Wilmer Flores
I figured the best way to start my video coverage of the 2010 season is with the biggest matchup. On May 12th, I was able to catch three at bats of Wilmer Flores versus Julio Teheran in his final South Atlantic League start. It was the South Atlantic League at its best as both will [...]
“Sally” Stock Watch – 5/22/2010
The Sand Gnats recently finished up a short homestand versus Rome which allowed me the good fortune of seeing top prospects Julio Teheran, Arodys Vizcaino, Robinson Lopez,and Christian Bethancourt in person. In this stock watch update, all four will find a place on the list along with million dollar bonus baby Brett DeVall. With five [...]