Mets Analysis – Shortstop

Mets: Jose Reyes, Ruben Tejada


Luis Figueroa – AAA – 398-AB - .294/.351/.369/.720 – 1-HR, 30-RBI, 1-SB


Jordany Valdespin – AA/AAA – 511-AB - .294/.333/.468/.801 – 17-HR, 60-RBI, 37-SB


Robbie Shields – A/A+ - 293-AB - .273/.350/.416/.767 – 3-HR, 38-RBI, 9-SB


Wilmer Flores – A+ - 516-AB - .269/.309/.380/.689 – 9-HR, 81-RBI, 2-SB


Juan Carlos Gamboa – rook/A – 191-AB - .293/.355/.450/.805 – 5-HR, 25-RBI, 5-SB


T.J. Rivera – sub-A/rook – 136-AB - .301/.349/.382/.731 – 1-HR, 19-RBI, 3-SB


Brandon Brown – sub-A – 142-AB - .303/.361/.465/.826 – 6-HR, 17-RBI, 5-SB


Ismael Tijerina – sub-A – 157-AB - .223/.307/.268/.574 – 0-HR, 9-RBI, 3-SB


Phillip Evans – sub-A/rook – 34-AB - .294/.351/.412/.763 – 0-HR, 4-RBI, 0-SB


Chad Zurcher – rook – 113.AB - .283/.386/.336/.723 – 0-HR, 11-RBI, 5-SB


Carlos Levya – rook/low-A - 88-AB - .227/.317/.284/.601 – 0-HR, 13-RBI, 3-SB


Donnie Tabb – rook – 45-AB - .244/.271/.311//582 – 0-HR, 7-RBI, 1-SB


Jorge Rivero – DSL/rook – 215-AB - .265/.347/.386/.733 – 1-HR, 24-RBI, 10-SB


Justin Schafer – rook – 31-AB - .226/.265/.290/.555 – 0-HR, 3-RBI, 0-SB


Randolf Santana – rook – 107-AB - .215/.276/.336/.612 – 2-HR, 11-RBI, 3-SB


Alvin Maracaro – DSL – 121-AB - .298/.358/.364/.722 – 0-HR, 13-RBI, 10-SB


Leon Canelon – DSL – 106-AB - .274/.345/.292/.637 – 0-HR, 5-RBI, 4-SB


Victor Cruzado – DSL – 152-AB - .250/.360/.349/.709 – 1-HR, 23-RBI, 6-SB


Anthony Chavez – DSL – 187-AB - .219/.295/.305/.600 – 0-HR, 25-RBI, 9-SB


Jean Rodriguez – DSL – 119-AB - .218/.295/.261/.556 – 0-HR, 8-RBI, 7-SB


Alfredo Reyes – DSL – 188-AB - .191/.297/.229/.526 – 1-HR, 19-RBI, 6-SB


Mauricio Reyes – DSL – 69-AB - .130/.238/.174/.411 – 0-HR, 1-RBI, 3-SB

Of course, no true analysis of the Mets shortstop situation can be accomplished until Jose Reyes either resigns with the Mets or bolts to a new team.


I’m going to assume here that he signs and proceed under that premise. Frankly, very little, if anything, would change in the minors in 2012 if that happened. Ruben Tejada would move over from second base and the attention next spring would be on who will play second.


Sandy Alderson has been quoted saying that he doesn’t fell there is enough depth in the system in the middle of the infield. Like 1B and 2B, most of the talent is in the higher levels, but that are signs that some of the kiddies are beginning to make a name for themselves.


What makes this even tougher is the projection that Wilmer Flores or Phillip Evans will play shortstop for much longer. I already have projected Flores for repeating St. Lucie again, but this time on first base. I could easily be wrong because there is no other clear favorite for the Binghamton job at short.


The real good news is Jordany Valdespin. No one has ever questioned his talent and ability. Now, reports from various sources are saying that the kid is being to mature and realize a questionable attitude would only get him Lastings Milledge old number for a few more years, and nothing more. Spin hit 17 home runs in 2011 while stealing 37 at bats. That’s a big-time combo for a shortstop. He will play in the majors come 2013; it’s just a question as to where.


Robbie Shields should be playing Binghamton by now, but he’s had a hard time staying healthy. The Mets could start him there, start Brandon Brown in St. Lucie, and Juan Carlos Gamboa in Savannah.


Phillip Evans was a big-time draft signing and will play short in 2012; however, he is projected by the Mets to convert to second base down the road.


Probable starters: AAA-Valdespin, AA-Shields, A+ - Brown, A- Gamboa


Probable cuts/player exits: Figueroa


Rating: A+ with Reyes… B without him