Morning Report – October 9 – System Evaluation – 2B

We move on to our look at the talent and depth within the Mets system, by position. In this case, second base.

Queens wise, the Mets 2014 second baseman represented the team in the all-star game, which says a lot for the quality of talent here. 

Not everyone thinks that Daniel Murphy will survive the Hot Stove season, due to a couple of factors. First, he will enter his ARB-3 year after being paid $5.7mil this season and estimates are he will have to be paid at least $8-9mil in 2014 (which happens to be the last year before he is eligible for free agency). 

Secondly, Mets officials and fans got a late peek at Murphy’s seemingly eventual replacement, Dilson Herrera (59-AB, .220, 3-HR, 11-RBI). In addition, Wilmer Flores has the ability to defensively play second base as well as Murphy. My guess is Flores will be moved to second if Murphy is moved in the off-season and Herrera will open at Vegas; however, if Murphy isn’t moved until the mid-season trading period, you will see Herrera join Flores as starting middle infielders in Queens.

(Let's remember something here... Herrera looks great so far, but he's far from being anointed with the future shortstop job for the rest of this decade)

Las Vegas wise, this was Danny Muno’s (359-AB, .259/.372/.418/.790) job this season, but it doesn’t look like he will be the 2015 starter. That will fall to Herrera and it’s only a guess at this point if the Mets would retain the services of Muno, who really only plays one position. 

I will say this… past Herrera, there are others pushing here and Tovar could easily settle into the system as the AAAA alternative, be shuffled back and forth to Binghamton depending upon need, and help stabilize the infield as the younger kids (Amed Rosario, Dominic Smith) rise through the system.

Binghamton wise, this was where Dilson Herrera (241-AB, .340) did most of his damage this season. Additionally, AAAA Wilfredo Tovar (255-AB, .282) continues to play second fiddle to players around him, but frankly, having players like him and Muno only stabilize a minor league system for a team. My guess, because of decisions that will be made out of St. Lucie that Tovar will remain a backup at two levels. And lastly, the Mets still haven’t figured out a proper position for T.J. Rivera. He played both 1B and 2B this season in Florida and, in 252 at-bats, hit .341.He also had 201 at-bats for AA-Binghamton and hit .358 there.

St. Lucie wise, RHH L.J. Mazzilli hit .312 in 250 at-bats here last season before getting five at-bats for Las Vegas. Ironically, he hit .335 (191-AB) against righties while only going .237 (59-AB) against lefties, his ‘natural’ opponent. He’ll play 2015 as a 25-year old and one could argue that he should open up with Binghamton, but what do you do with the All-Star Rivera and Herrera? The Mets have to be thrilled with his offense output but I guess he stays behind in Florida and plays again for St. Lucie come opening day.

Savannah wise, there will be no one pushing the three upper levels come opening day. Mazzilli played here for the first half of the season. Additional second basemen were Jonathan Johnson (101-AB, .238) and Jorge Rivero (268-AB, .235).

Just guessing here… opening day starters will be AAA: Herrera, AA: Rivera, A+: Mazilli, A: TBD

Brooklyn wise, it was actually more dismal than the second half of Savannah… William Fulmer (71-AB, .197), Anthony Chavez (94-AB, .170) and Dimas Ponce (55-AB, .109) were three of the four lowest ranked Cyclone hitters.

Kingsport played Branden Kaupe (123-AB, .260) and Leon Canelon (101-AB, .178).

The GCL Mets featured 2014’s 40^th round pick, Dale Burdick (94-AB, .170).

The DSL teams featured Franklin Correa (177-AB, .260) and Miquel Palino (175-AB, .263).

Overall Observation – Yes, the lower levels do look a little void of results, but these are young kids and still have plenty of time to blossom; however, if they don’t, we’re ‘stuck’ with the combination of Murphy, Herrera, Flores, Rivera, and Mazzilli. This is a bunch of talent for one position and should sustain this team well into the next decade.

My guess is that the Mets will fast track Mazzilli, who is easily old enough to open up in Binghamton.

Everything here depends upon the direction of the off-season. I go back and forth here between a 'B' rating and the one I have here:

Overall Rating:  Incomplete