It seemed inevitable every Sunday afternoon on the NFL football field. Cris Carter was going to catch a pass. And when he did, it would most likely result in points for the Vikings, in the form of a Touchdown. It did not matter how many catches he had that game. What mattered was the result of that one catch.
Seems only fitting (in my warped mind) that following Cris Carter's induction into the Hall of Fame, a new Met would start his career with a bang!
Yeah, I know, it has only been 6 games. I do not care. I am a lifelong Mets fan. So I prefer to completely exaggerate and over blow the situation, and get extremely excited now while it lasts.
So here we are, 6 games in, and Flores just seems to attract runs. Whether by base hit, groundout, or throwing his bat in the direction of the ball and making contact (hey, whatever works). Wilmer Flores has done even more than anyone could have expected of him in his first week in the big leagues.
Maybe this 22 year old could teach his older teammates a thing or two about what it means to have a 'productive' at bat. Basically, every game he has played in, Flores has been up at bat, with a runner on third base. During these times, with less than two outs, Flores has made contact, mostly opposite field. This is hitting 101, but something that many Mets hitters this year have failed to do. When there is a runner on third, and two outs, Flores still delivers, even with just a single. Again, it is not rocket science. When there are two outs and runners in scoring position, the objective is not to hit a home run, and not to pull the ball. The goal is to, first of all, make contact. The next goal is to put it in play, and the last goal is to 'hit it where they ain't'.
After almost 3/4 of the season gone, watching David Wright try to carry the load all too often and overextend; watch Duda pray for a walk rather then get a hit; watch Buck try and get his homer on the first pitch, Daniel Murphy go into customary slump, going 0-15, and then watch Ike Davis.......well, we know what Ike Davis has done this year with runners in scoring position and less than two out up until this past week. We finally have a player, a rookie at that, doing 'just enough' to get the job done.
Groundouts and singles won't get you into the baseball hall of fame. However, groundouts and singles that score runs will get you plenty of playing time, especially with Sandy and his Moneyball concept, and a chance to continue to learn, develop, and succeed long term. In conclusion, the kid is 22 years old. He makes contact. Doesn't strike out often. Goes opposite field. And doesn't dance around the field showboating like he's already a star(sorry Spin, that’s for you)
So here's to hoping that Wilmer Flores keeps putting the ball in play. Here's to hoping the Mets start him somewhere full time, in 2014.
from tomorrow morning's report
ReplyDeleteDick Jones –
Mack, love the new site. Looks like you were right about Wilmer Flores. Where do you think he’s going to wind up playing?
Mack –Hey, Dick. Thanks for your comments. Actually, I’ve been one of the critics about Flores as he stumbled his way through the system. I think all of you have now got a small glimpse about how slow he is on the base paths. At the same time, he’s proving early that his presence in the lineup is a plus offensively. He seems to have that rare ability to drive runs when needed. Time will only tell whether he can sustain a decent batting average at the major league level.
The Mets have a rare opportunity to play him at third base while David Wright heals. I can’t help but feel this is all trade staging, especially since Ike Davis has returned from the dead. Davis.
I will tell you one more thing you’re not going to like. Daniel Murphy plays a better second base defensively. It’s all about the feet, speed, and movement. Flores just can’t make the turns.
Davis, Murphy, Flores… somebody has to go folks. Somebody has to go and I would strike while the Wilmer iron is hot.