- Mets infield prospect Wilmer Flores finally had the breakout offensive season in 2012 that everyone had been waiting for, posting an .827 OPS between High and Double-A. The problem with Flores is where he will play on defense, and John Sickels breaks it down perfectly, saying:
Flores moved off shortstop last year and performed adequately at both third base and second base. His arm works just fine at third and he doesn't make an excessive number of errors, but his range is mediocre. His bat profiles better at second base, but he probably lacks the requisite quickness to play there long-term. He doesn't run well enough to be an attractive outfield option, but will he hit enough to play first base?
Defense will always be the question for Flores. He should be usable at a few different positions, but likely not good at any of them. The question is if one of them will be second base. If not, he won't do the Mets much good because he probably won't hit enough to be valuable at first base and won't be able to play the outfield. Third base is blocked in New York, leaving second base or a trade as the only viable options for the Mets.
- Some prospects remind us of players we've seen before, either because of their actions or the results, but Angels pitching prospect A.J. Schugel is showing off some things that don't necessarily fit the mold, says Halos Heaven, specifically his refinement despite being a converted position player, and his strange righty/lefty splits.
- Jackie Bradley gets rave reviews for both his on-field play and off-field demeanor, and it's that combination that could make Jacoby Ellsbury expendable in Boston as he becomes a free agent after the season, notes Brendan McGair of The Pawtucket Times. In his first full season, Bradley established himself as one of the best leadoff prospects in the game, hitting .315/.430/.482 between High and Double-A and walking almost as many times as he struck out. He should return to Double-A to begin this season, but assuming he has as much success as he did last year, he should be up to Triple-A by mid-season and could get a September call-up with the big club.
