The Keepers - #37 - 3B - Charlie Hinojosa

37. Charlie Hinojosa – 3B – 21/yrs.

Hinojosa was drafted by the Mets in the 38th round of the 2009 draft.

From: http://www.insidesocal.com/: - Don Lugo High School's Charlie Hinojosa is going pro. The third baseman drafted in the 39th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the New York Mets on June 5, confirmed he will sign with the organization. The rocket-armed Hinojosa, who was a good quarterback for Don Lugo and an even better punter, didn't receive much attention from colleges on the football or baseball front despite batting .495 with 38 RBI and six home runs this season. He said it was an easy choice to elect to sign with the Mets, from whom he expects to receive a signing bonus in the $40,000 range.

From: http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/: - Don Lugo third baseman Charlie Hinojosa will celebrate his 18th birthday Monday by signing a contract with the New York Mets, who drafted him in the 39th round of last week's MLB First-Year Player Draft. After that, Hinojosa will fly to Port St. Lucie, Fla., where he'll play for the Mets' Rookie ball team. But starting his professional career isn't going to be the only highlight of Hinojosa's trip. "I've never been to Florida," Hinojosa said. "I went to Montana once for American Legion and have been to Arizona, but besides that, I've stayed in California my whole life."

Hinojosa played sparingly for the 2008 GCL Mets, going .226/.241/.340 in 53 at bats.

In 2009, Hinojosa returned to the GCL team, this time as a third baseman. His stats were fantastic: .323/.387/.441/.828 in 127-AB. He wound up ranked fourth in the league in batting average.

Forecast: - Hinojosa was a pleasant surprise in 2009 and has become one of the top infield prospects down the road. Remember… he was drafted as a catcher. It will be interesting to see where he winds up in 2009. Things are getting a little crowded on third base, prospect wise. Richard Lucas had a great season, and Aderlin Rodriquez, who split time with Hinojosa at GCL, finished strong. Add to that the fact that Jenry Marte will probably repeat Savannah due to a sub-par year there, and no one has any idea who’s going where. Good problem.