Listen… while we’re on winter ball… (???)
Don’t get too excited about winter stats, especially the ones coming from the islands.
The Arizona Winter League is the Big Kahuna of winter leagues and most of the kids that play here have played against each other all year, but, when it comes to the DWL, PRWL, and all the other island WL’s, there’s a good chance you are playing against your cousin who has never signed with a single club.
The level of competition just isn’t in these leagues and you just can’t let stats get the best of you. Winter leagues cut deals directly with players and there’s a good chance you are playing against someone that is barely holding on in baseball, than someone that has already excelled in it.
Perfect example… do you know who is leading the Mexicali Aguilas of the Mexican Winter League in home runs and runs batted in? Cory Aldridge.
But, that’s just me…
- - - - - -
I have Havens at #3 because injuries don’t mean squat in my analysis. Yes, he was injured. Again. But, his kind of injury doesn’t diminish his talent. It just prevents it from being showcased until he heals.
Some of my notes this year on him:
2-1-10: - Reece Havens – most prospect pundits still have Havens as the top second base prospect in the organization, but I need to see one more season out of him before I place him higher on my list. So far, he hasn’t hit for average, though he is showing potential pop. Also, a little more defense won’t hurt either. His future as a Mets may be similar to guys like Dustin Martin.
5-17-10: - Stock up: Havens was promoted to Binghamton after Friday night’s game for St. Lucie. The former first round draft pick is no longer kicking the ball around at short and has become a full time second baseman, in hopes of getting to Queens after Luis Castillo’s contract runs out after the 2011 season. No one is going to ever award Havens a Gold Glove, but did play A+ this season with zero errors in the field.In addition, his bat is coming around… at Lucy this year: .281/.369/.509/.878, 3-HRs in 57-AB. Look, Havens should be at AA and the rest of this season will be a good test for him. He also will fit in well with a lineup of Nieuwenhuis, Evans, and Lutz. No pitching around here.
5-24-10: - Stock up: Havens was promoted to Binghamton after Friday night’s game for St. Lucie. The former first round draft pick is no longer kicking the ball around at short and has become a full time second baseman, in hopes of getting to Queens after Luis Castillo’s contract runs out after the 2011 season. No one is going to ever award Havens a Gold Glove, but did play A+ this season with zero errors in the field.In addition, his bat is coming around… at Lucy this year: .281/.369/.509/.878, 3-HRs in 57-AB. Look, Havens should be at AA and the rest of this season will be a good test for him. He also will fit in well with a lineup of Nieuwenhuis, Evans, and Lutz. No pitching around here.
6-7-10: - Reese Havens hit another home run Sunday, his sixth in in Binghamton and ninth for the season. The 2011 battle for second base is starting to get very interesting, especially if Ruben Tejada plays the position well in Queens during the period he is there. I still think Tejada has a good shot at replacing Jose Reyes at short, simply because 2011 is Reyes last year, the Mets have an option to get out at 500K, and, most important, he’s one of the only players on the team that could warrant a one-for-one trade for an Oswalt-type starter. I’m not calling for a Reyes trade, but a team can’t win in this sport without a dominant starting rotation. Santana and Pelfrey aren’t enough.
6-12-10: - Reese Havens was removed from the Binghamton game last night in the second inning for "soreness"... manager Tim Tuefel told a reporter that he's had this problem before, which makes one wonder if this is related to him oblique strain that kept him out earlier this season. Right now, he is listed day-to-day.
6-21-10: - Havens was placed on the 7-day disabled list Sunday for soreness in his left obique. This is the same oblique that put him on the DL earlier this season, so it’s obvious that things aren’t healed yet. I have been told that this new hiccup is just that, a small set-back; however, I would hope that the Mets sit the boy down until he is fully healed this time. This, of cource, may not be the Mets fault and the player could have sent the wrong signs to the trainer. It looks like Havens has a bright future with the Mets and he’s not part of any trade package, so let him heal, even if it takes the rest of the season.
8-31-10 - 2011 Forecast: - Look, whether this kid is playing or on the DL, he's the number one prospect second baseman in the organization. Injuries are injuries. Some are natural, and others happen when someone takes you out on a double play ball. Just because Strasburg is being operated on, doesn't make him the best prospect pitcher in baseball. That being said, it would be nice if Havens stopped trying to be like F-Mart. Havens only had 125 at bats in 2010 (between St. Lucie and Binghamton), but they were impressive: .312/.386/.592/.978, 9-HR, 19-RBI. Project those numbers over a full season and you have an all-star. His latest injury is a nagging one, but shouldn't impede his growth. I do expect him to play winter ball, probably Hawaii, and there's a good chance he will compete for the Mets second base job, against Ruben Tejada, in spring training. Otherwise, expect him in Buffalo in 2011.
Update: Havens was not operated on and was sent home to heal and work out on his own. You don’t do this with prospects that need mending. He will be fine, he will probably be held back in AA-ball to make sure things are okay, and he will play SS next to Jordany Valdespin at 2B. Like Ike Davis in 2010, he will be fast racked to Buffalo as soon as everyone is assured he is 100% healed and could be in Queens by the end of next year.
What he does there is your guess as good as mine…
No comments:
Post a Comment