3/5/20

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.


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.

1 comment:

Tom Brennan said...

Hard to think of Wilmer in terms of 2008 - long time ago.