Making the Case for Cory Vaughn in the Future Mets Outfield

With so much confusion and mystery that has revolved around the Mets outfield the past couple of seasons, I've decided to throw another name into the hat. Give some credit to Sandy Alderson. Whether you are happy with the signing or not, he went out and got approval to spend a nice chunk of change on outfielder Curtis Granderson. However, when you really think about it, the Mets will still technically start 2014 with a question mark on all 3 outfield positions.

Granderson is coming off an injury filled season, and he is no longer playing in the short right field porch of Yankee stadium. He has not a batting average at .280 or better since 2008, and has never had an OBP better then .364 in his entire career, when playing a full season. Chris Young, is coming off a season in which he hit .200, and had an OBP of .280. Juan Lagares, coming off what I still feel was a gold glove season patrolling center field, still only finished up with a batting average under .250, and an OBP under .300. Beyond that, we have Andrew Brown, who has a history of destroying the ball at all minor league levels, including AAA Las Vegas. However, despite showing some pop of the bench, still continued this trend of low batting average, and low OBP (both under .300) 

 There is also the 'other' gold glove caliber centerfield whiz kid, Matt den Dekker. He, of course, also had an unfortunate injury last spring, and never fully got his opportunity to compete for starting on this team. In 27 MLB games for the Mets, he.....well, he also hit under .250, and had an OBP under .300. When it comes to other outfield prospects closest to the major league level, the first name that comes to mind is Cesar Puello. The 5 tool prospect, who fell out of favor a bit, then went on to have a monster season, only to be taken down by the PED scandal. 

There is also the intriguing prospect that is Dustin Lawley. Who went from belting 25 homers in A ball, to quietly spending a week playing in Vegas for the Mets AAA ballclub to end the season. 

 Well, I would like to throw out the name of that 'other guy' who came into the system with some power, and speed. Another guy who has had his fair share of strikeouts throughout his minor league career, but also has belted 23 homers in that same A ball in Port St. Lucie. Cory Vaughn is a former 4th round pick of the Mets from 2010, out of San Diego St. University. He is also the son of 15 year MLB veteran Greg Vaughn. After destroying the ball in the low/rookie minors, hitting .307 with 14 homers and 56 RBIs in 72 games with Brooklyn, and then hitting .286 with a .405 OBP while playing in the pitcher friendly confines of the ballpark out for low A ball Savannah. After a midseason promotion to Port St. Lucie in 2011, Vaughn finished poorly, hitting at a .219 clip, with an OBP just over .300. However, starting in 2012, Cory went on to repeat A ball in St. Lucie, and proceeded to hit those 23 homers in 2012. It was during this time that I began to notice Cory on some of the Mets top 20 prospect lists. However, 2013 started and finished with an injury filled type season, leading to manage only paying in 71 games. 

 After starting out hot, and finishing slow, Cory ended the season with a .267 BA, and a .346 OBP, while still managing to hit 10 homers and 50 RBIs. As we enter into the 2014 season, the Mets did leave Cory unprotected and off the 40 man roster. The Mets instead ended up filling the rest of their 40 man with arms (top pitching prospects), which is understandable. However, we also recently learned that the Mets have invited Cory to spring training. And, as in the gambler saying of, all I need is a chip and a chair, Cory has himself an invite, and a chance. 

The Mets once lost and evaporating outfield has since become very crowded, at both the major league and AAA level. There are veterans trying to regain their form, young players trying to improve on last years experience and performance, and a few prospects trying to continue to live out their dreams of stepping onto that major league field. However, I've decided to currently show a little love for a young man who has shown power, strength, and a love for the game. I'm putting together a little support for another one of the Mets homegrown talent. So, when I head to Port St. Lucie this spring to catch a game or two, I'll be keeping an eye on Corey Vaughn. 

Bottom line is that I am a lifelong Mets fan, and I will be rooting for everyone. But, today, I'm making the effort to build up a little momentum for a prospect not many fans are publicly talking about enough these days. So, everybody show some love for Mets hitting prospect Cory Vaughn 

(twitter handle: @sugarfreeCV )