Blast From The Past - 2008 Kingsport Mets Recap

SS Wilmer Flores (Mack Prospect #7) –

Flores was signed as an international free agent in October 2007. He went directly to K-Port , where he hit .310/.352/.490/.842 in 245 at bats. It included 8 HRs, 12 doubles, 4 triples, and 41 RBIs in 59 games. He is 4th in the league in total bases, a league by the way, he’s not even playing in anymore. And, he’s 16. In addition, there seems to be no kryptonite.

Observation: The sky looks limitless right now. I would guess it is Savannah/Lucy in 2009, Lucy/B-Mets in 2010, and Citifield before he can legally drink.



2B Kyle Suire (Mack Prospect #46) – S R 5-11 200 8-22-85 Louisiana Monroe

Suire was drafted in the 35th round of the 2008 draft by the Mets. He was signed, and immediately assigned to Kingsport, where he hit.297/.369/.569/.919 (9 HRs and 36 RBIs in 48 games)

Observation: All of a sudden the Mets seem flooded with 2B prospects. I dream of Savannah staying a Mets affiliate with Suire, Marte, and Flores in the infield.


SP Robert Carson (Mack Prospect #22) – L L 6-3 220 1-23-89 Hattiesburg H.S. (Miss.)

Carson was drafted in the 14th round of the 2007 draft. He pitched a few games for the GCL Mets in 2007 (1-0, 5.00, in 4 appearances), where he also started the 2008 season at (1-0, 1.50 in 6 games, 5 starts). He was promoted to K-Port, where he excelled in 2008: 2-3, 1.76, in 6 starts. Only down side was 18 BBs in 30.2 IP.

Observation: Looks like a hidden gem here. Carson will be tested next year, either at Brooklyn or Savannah. I can’t believe how many great young pitchers are developing at these lower levels.

RP Michael Powers (Mack Prospect #44) – R R 6-3 180 4-7-86 Univ of Michigan

Powers was drafted in the 31st round of the 2008 draft. He was assigned to Kingsport immediately after signing and went 2-1, 3.00, 1.00 in 15 relief appearances, 7 saves. He also struck out 20 batters in 21.0 IP, with only 4 walks. Powers turns 23 next April

Observation: You like big college pitchers? Well, here is one, and I would expect him to be fast tracked to Lucy to be their closer in 2009.


3b Stefan Welsh (Mack Prospect #55) – L R 6-3 175 8-12-88 Australia

Welsh played the entire 2007 season for the GCL Mets (.288/.346/.353 in 139 at bats, only 3 errors). At K-Port in 2008, he hit .281/.316/.447 in 253 at bats, which included 14 doubles, a team leading 8 triples, and 4 home runs. He ended the season with Savannah.

Observation: Great. Another young, good hitting third baseman. Boy, are the Mets going to have fun trading all these guys some day. Full A-affiliate bound.


RP Brandon Moore (Mack Prospect #48) – R R 6-3 190 1-24-86 Indiana Wesleyan

Moore was drafted in the 14th round of the 2008 draft. He pitched very well in a limited role : 2-0, 0.90, 1.00 22 Ks, 20.0 IP, 6 appearances, 2 starts.


OF Rafael Fernandez (Mack Prospect #34) – L L 6-3 185 8-3-88

Fernandez played last year for the DSL Mets and came stateside for the start of the 2008 K-Port season. He started out lightning hot, and finished the year with a respectful .259/.332/.399. He turned 20 years old last month.


2B Ignacio Medrano (Mack Prospect #58) – R R 6-0 175 7-17-86 Monte Cristi, D.R.

Medrano played 3 years for the DSL Mets before coming stateside in 2008. He had a great year going (.329/.380/.443 in 70 at bats), but was suspended for refusing to accept an assignment. We’ll have to wait until next spring to see where he lands, if anywhere.


C Jean Luc Blaquiere - R R 6-2 205 2-27-86 Quebec, Canada

Blaquiere played 2 years for the GCL Mets, but spend all of last year on the IR. He had a steady year at K-Port: .271/.406/.411 in 129 at bats, only 1 error.


DH Michael Moras - R R 6-1 200 9-11-85 University of New Haven

Moras was a 2oth round draft pick in 2008 and was the designated hitter for K-Port during the later portion of the season. He impressed: .338/.423/.426 in 68 at bats.


Ex-Prospects on the Bubble:


OF Gabriel Zavala (Mack Prospect #51) – R R 6-3 180 5-14-87 Venezuela

Tough year for the –ex-VSL Mets all-star (.250/.289/.475 in 120 at bats). The Mets expected more and we’ll see what he does next spring, probably for Brooklyn.


CF Pedro Zapata (Mack Prospect #53) – R R 6-4 190 10-3-87 Bani, D.R.

Big things were expected of Zapata, who batted .325 for the DSL Mets in 2007. This year: .221/.257/.248 in 226 at bats. Look for him to join Zavala in Brooklyn next spring.