RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~ 300
CURRENT ADP: 326
ANALYSIS: What does Wilmer Flores have to do to convince the Mets he’s worthy of an everyday role? In three partial seasons the versatile infielder has not only mashed lefties, but also improved versus right-handers, posting a career high .765 OPS in 2017. Flores maintained his fly ball gains last year, surpassing 45% for the second season in a row while upping his hard contact rate without sacrificing overall contact (84%). Yet, the Mets went out and signed Todd Frazier to play the hot corner and invited Adrian Gonzalez to camp to compete at 1B when they have a more than capable option already on their roster. Go figure.
Regardless, Flores will get his chances this year and, at this stage in the draft, do not let potential playing time impediments fool you. There is no guarantee Gonzalez makes this team and, at age 36, the odds are probably against him. First base prospect Dominic Smith had a cup of coffee at the major league level last season, but Mets' brass appears content to let him percolate at Triple-A for a while longer.
Flores is not an OPB darling, owning a 5% walk rate, but he only strikes out 14% of the time and finding potential 30 home run power this late in the draft is a steal. This is a player worth reaching for (if you can even call anything a reach at this point) or going the extra few dollars for in an auction. Flores has the bat skills to hit for average and provide solid power - all he needs is a chance.
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