Flores

Mike Newman does typically strong work breaking down Wilmer Flores at www.scoutingthesally.com (now with video!).  In my opinion, Flores is a classic Mets prospect.  Like every prospect in baseball, he has strengths and weaknesses, but because he’s a Mets farmhand, everything, good and bad about his game, has been exaggerated by the hype.  So, the good, according to Newman is:

With explosive wrists and excellent hand-eye coordination, Flores has barely scratched the surface in terms of offensive development. At his peak, Flores showed the ability to pepper line drives to all fields with a knack for staying back on breaking balls.

And the bad:

At present, Flores’ hitting mechanics can be downright messy.

The same good news, bad news dynamic is in play defensively too: Flores doesn’t have the speed for short, but has good enough hands to stay on the infield.

B-Mets Staff

The Binghamton Mets released their 2010 coaching staff Monday.  Joining manager Tim Teuffel will be Pitching Coach Mark Brewer and Hitting Coach Luis Natera.  This is a return, both to the Mets and Binghamton for Brewer:

Brewer rejoins the Mets organization after serving as the Pittsburgh Pirates rehabilitation coordinator in 2009. He left New York (NL) for the Pirates after acting as the Mets Latin American pitching coordinator in 2008. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as a pitching coach in the Mets farm system, including 2006 with Binghamton.

Natera drew some attention last year when the Mets moved him down from his hitting coach position in Buffalo to the B-Mets after a disastrous offensive start for the Bisons.  In terms of attitude and energy, Bill Maase, who was promoted from Binghamton to Buffalo, was a better fit for a AAA clubhouse.  It’s very intriguing that the Mets chose to bring Natera back after such an odd 2009.  This will be Natera’s 13th season in the Mets organization.

Natera, has served as a hitting coach for New York at five different levels, including St. Lucie (2007), Low-A Hagerstown (2005-06), Rookie Kingsport (2003-04) and Low-A Capital City (1999). He was also a member of the coaching staff for the Rookie Gulf Coast League Mets in 1998.He served in his native country as coordinator of the Mets’ Dominican Academy in 2001 and 2002. An infielder, Natera played shortstop in the Mets’ organization from 1984-1988 advancing as high as the Low-A South Atlantic League. Currently, his son, Luis Natera Jr., is a Mets’ farmhand.