Happy B-Day! Mets Call Up Infield Prospect Wilmer Flores On 22nd Birthday
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Welcome, Wilmer!
The Mets have called up 22-year-old -- he turned 22 on Tuesday -- infielder Wilmer Flores to the major leagues. Flores is the Mets' No. 4 rated prospect in the system, according to MLB.com.
Bobby Parnell has been placed on the 15-day disabled list to make room for Flores. Parnell, dealing with neck discomfort, hasn't pitched since last Tuesday against the Marlins.
Flores will likely play third base most of the time with David Wright on the disabled list, although he could see time at shortstop, second base and first base. In his major-league debut on Tuesday night, he is batting sixth and starting at third base.
His future position in the big leagues is undetermined, so now is a golden opportunity for general manager Sandy Alderson and manager Terry Collins to see where he's the most natural and comfortable. He came up through the system as a second baseman, but is currently blocked by Daniel Murphy.
But Flores isn't being called up for his glove.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has mashed for Triple-A Las Vegas this season, batting .321 with 15 homers and 86 RBIs. He's also sprayed an incredible 36 doubles to go with four triples in 107 games played.
The Mets were criticized by many when they didn't call up Flores this past Saturday to replace Wright on the roster. Alderson, instead, opted to call up outfielder Mike Baxter.
This move now gives the Mets a five-man bench.
Flores, a native of Valencia, Venezuela, signed with New York as an international free agent in 2007.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
