New Met - OF - Wuilmer Becerra

OF Wuilmer Becerra is the “other” player that the Mets received from Toronto in the RA Dickey deal.In typical Sandy Alderson fashion, he’s a young’un, (will pitch 2013 as a 19-yr. old). 6-4, 190 outfielder out of Caracas, Venezuela.  Jays Journal had him as their 30^th top prospect:

2012 Statistics and Analysis - 32 AB, .250/.359/.375 (.734 OPS), 4 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 4/7 BB/K  -  Wuilmer Becerra was one of the hottest names around the Blue Jays minor league complex last spring, and both Toronto and industry folk were expecting a breakout by the 17 year old. He got off to a pretty good start in his professional debut, as through his first 10 games he had eight hits (including four doubles) and four walks. The speed he’s become well known for didn’t show up in the box score, but all in all it was a solid first two weeks. Unfortunately, in his 11th game, disaster struck. In his first plate appearance, Yankees pitching prospect Graham Stoneburner hit Becerra in the face with a pitch, breaking his jaw and ending his season in what by all accounts was a very scare scene.

It’s another roll of the Alderson dice on a former international bonus kid that signed for $1.3mil and bypassed the DSL. Ben Badler wrote about him:

“He has athleticism and speed to go along with raw power, and could project as a power/speed corner outfielder.”

John Sickles wrote:

The Blue Jays spent $1,300,000 to sign Wuilmer Becerra out of Venezuela in 2011. They brought him directly to North America in 2012, skipping the Latin American summer leagues. Unfortunately, he got into just 11 games in the Gulf Coast League, his season ending early after being hit in the face by a pitch. Becerra is tall and lanky at 6-4, 190, but runs very well and could be a 20+ steal guy at higher levels if all goes well. He also has above-average power potential, and flashes good plate discipline. However, his swing mechanics are inconsistent and he may be more ripper than hitter. His arm isn't very good, so he profiles best at left field. At Becerra's age, anything can happen. Keep in mind that he wouldn't even be drafted until 2013 if he'd been born in the United States.He was born October 1st, 1994.

I assume the Mets will let the kid get his plate confidence back (takes some time to stand in there after a face hit) and probably will remain back in Florida for the GCL Mets.