2/2/12

Mets: Phillip Evans, Lucas May, Andre Torres, Danny Muno


1-30-12 - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/30/2757346/2012-amazin-avenue-top-50-mets-prospects-21-30  SS Phillip Evans - Speaking of draft steals, the Mets plucked this top round talent in the 15th round due to signablilty concerns based on a perceived strong commitment to SDSU -- ultimately inking him for $600k. The 19-yr old Cali kid is considered very advanced/polished for a high school product. He already shows a good idea of the strike zone while featuring very quick hands and a nice compact swing from the right side. In addition, his excellent athleticism and very strong arm give him every chance to stick at short long-term and though he's not quite a burner, he has the kind of quickness to take 15-20 bags a year. He's also been lauded for his high character and work ethic.  Now some feel that as he adds bulk to his already study frame (185lbs) he'll be forced to move to second base. His power has also come into question as he's listed at just 5'10" and for anyone who got to see him in his brief time with Brooklyn he looks even smaller in person. However, he's got some nice natural loft to his swing and he absolutely knows how to pull a ball. I've got to say that so much about Evans screams out Dustin Pedroia to me: Smallish infielder out of Cali, good strength/athleticism, excellent pull-side power, good quickness, great makeup. And while it's hard to project anyone to an MVP-level, I could definitely see Evans ceiling as a 20/20-type, with the requisite disclaimer about any and all high school players currently being worlds away from that ceiling.

• Dec 13: C Lucas May - The 27-yr old May is another righty-hitting backstop who will likely be attempting to dethrone Mike Nickeas as the primary backup this spring. However, after bottoming out with a .238 average in Triple-A in 2011, he's likely to begin in that same role in Buffalo. May was never much of a prospect however he has shown some good pop for a catcher, once knocking 25 homers in a season and thrice surpassing 15. Like Rottino he has just 39 major league pa's, batting .189 in that time. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/1/31/2753903/taking-inventory-of-the-mets-minor-league-free-agents

Andres Torres (OF): In 1998, Torres hit .234 with 1 HR and 21 RBI in 48 games with Jamestown in his first professional season. Torres was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 4th round of the 1998 MLB amateur draft out of Miami Dade College (Miami, Florida). Torres has played in 415 career regular season games over seven seasons, as a member of the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants. He is currently a member of the New York Mets after being traded by the Giants in December 2011. http://seedlingstostars.com/2012/01/31/3385/

2-1-12 - Muno had a really strong professional debut, smacking around New York-Penn League pitching at a .355/.466/.514 clip at age 22. He’ll head to 2012 as a 23-year old on Opening Day with the clock ticking loudly. Muno played shortstop and third base in college, but the Mets had him play all but two games at shortstop in the New York Penn League. His arm is strong enough for either position, but he’ll need to prove that he has the range to play shortstop everyday as a professional. If he can’t play shortstop every day, he could carve out a career as a versatile backup infielder or perhaps a third baseman. He does not have the power to profile as a classic third baseman.  However, third base is in transition, and 2011 was a down year for the position as MLBers hit just .252/.317/.390 at third, essentially equal to second basemen. http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/36-ss-danny-muno/

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