Scott G. asks:
Couple of questions I have about Brahiam Maldanado.
He did hit 17 HRS and have 73 RBI’s at St Lucie
1) Is he going to be a minor league free agent or do the Mets still have control over him.
2) I realize he will never be a ML player but simply an organizational filler type.
If he could put up the same numbers at Binghamton next year at least he could
help make the AA team better than it was this year.
1. Maldonado will be a minor league free agent next year. Players become free agents after six FULL minor league seasons. Maldonado was the Mets 10th round pick in ’04, so that year doesn’t count. His full seasons include ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, and ’09. He’ll be a free agent after 2010.
2. Yeah, you pretty much nailed this one. Hitting .273/.348/.466 at age 23 in the FSL does not make him a top prospect. The 18 HR and 19 2B are nice, but the 126 strikeouts in 122 games while being old for the league suggests that his problems making contact will preclude him from an MLB career. It’s not obvious to me that he’ll make the AA Binghamton affiliate better; pitchers at the next level might just exploit his troubles with contact.
David C asks:
Love the blog and you do excellent work. One quick question for 2010. What are your thoughts/opinions on Emmanuel Garcia. I’ve grown to really like this kid, even tho he will probably never be a star. Where do you see him in 2010, AA stil?? Thanks for the time.
Manny Garcia helped his stock in 2009 by moving to centerfield, and even though he was learning on the job, performing well. However, he hit just .246/.305/.320 at age 23. Not only will he not be a star hitting like that, he cannot be a big league regular. Garcia spent most of the year in the leadoff spot where he admitted that he being asked to see more pitches was hard on him, because he was uncomfortable hitting with two strikes.
His 2010 destination will in part be determined by what the Mets do in the offseason, but CF in double-A does not look like an option with Kirk Nieuwenhuis poised to patrol NYSEG Stadium’s turf for the B-Mets. Would they bring Jesus Feliciano back for another year at AAA? Garcia’s season hardly indicates he’s ready for AAA, but the Mets might try him up there anyway.
regarding the assignment of Garcia, could the Mets choose to challenge Nieuwenhuis with the AAA CF job? If they do then the AA CF would be there for Garcia again. There is also Fernando Martinez to consider, who is probably going to be in AAA but could be playing CF or RF.
To me, Garcia slots in as a role player in AAA or AA next year with his ability to play both the IF and OF, and additional AB’s available in DH heavy leagues. However I do think the Mets will make some trades this offseason which will lower the number of fringe big league/AAA players which may open up a better role for Garcia in the process.
Maldonado replacing Duda or Wabick in LF for AA is probably a push at best.
What would the Mets gain by challenging Nieuwenhuis with the AAA CF job? He belongs in AA to start the 2010 season.
Absolutely agree that Maldonado replacing Duda/Wabick is a push at best.
I agree that he belongs in AA, but the Mets have a tendancy to rush guys at times.
The options right now for AAA CF would be Jeremy Reed or Jesus Feliciano with F. Martinez playing a corner. Though I think the Mets will move one or two of their extra OF’s which could leave AAA CF open if they don’t resign Feliciano. IMO Nieuwenhuis is better prepared for AAA CF than Garcia…