#14 2B/SS Dilson Herrera (LR: #20, Pirates org., Baseball America rankings)
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 5' 10" Weight: 150 lb
Acquired: Trade w/ Pittsburgh Pirates, 08/21/2013, w/ RP Victor Black for RF Marlon Byrd, C John Buck.
Age: 20
2013: (A) .267/.334/.416, 11 HR, 60 RBI, 14 SB (70%), 40 BB, 116 K
2012: (R/SS-A) .286/.341/.489, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 12 SB (75%), 19 BB, 47 K
Usually when you see a 5' 10" middle infielder, you immediately think "Luis Castillo type slap hitter". Not this guy. Even at a "tiny" 150lbs Herrera has plus power potential at the 2B position thanks to his surprisingly quick hands and aggressive batting nature. Unfortunately though, that aggressiveness does come with a high K rate of 23%.
While Herrera possesses plenty of speed, range, and smooth hands, the Pirates organization felt that he possessed a below average arm and limited him to 2B. However, many in the Mets organization feel that he can improve his arm with added strength and fully expect him to get some time at SS this season. If the position conversion is successful, his value will skyrocket as high power/speed/defense combo SS are an extremely raw breed.
Even more enticing is the fact that IF (and thats a big IF) the Mets coaching staff can cut down on his K's and help him induce better contact, we may have ourselves a near 5-tool caliber player. Plus, he'll only be 20 years old this season in Advanced A-ball. While Victor Black was the immediate haul for Marlon Byrd, Herrera could very well be the piece that contributes most when its all said and done.
Anticipated Assignment: (A+) Port St. Lucie Mets starting SS
Ceiling: Top 5 offensive MLB SS.
Floor: Inconsistent AAAA 2B.
I believe that Herrera, Rosario, and Cecchini will produce the future mid-infield for the Mets, let's say, come 2017.
ReplyDeleteThe Pittsburgh trade may turn out to be better than the R.A. Dickey one, though neither have produced a successful major league player yet.
If the Pirate trade ever panned out better than Syndergaard, d'Arnaud, and Becerra, that would be an amazing trade indeed.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they'll ever get anything out of Philip Evans or Matt Reynolds? Both have disappointed so far, but this will be a big year for each to erase that disappointment away and get onto the radar screen.
An absolute steal as part of the Byrd trade! Will be a top 5 Met prospect heading into 2015.
ReplyDeleteWill he be a fulltime ss at A+ or part time a mainly play 2b
ReplyDelete@Greg B
ReplyDeleteFrom what I heard, he will be getting time at both positions.
In a 120 game season I say
80 games at 2B
40 games at SS
Chris i read his a good fielder but his arm isnt to strong for ss. But if he can improve his arm strength with his bat a play ss we could have something .
ReplyDelete