Dilson Herrera, 19, who came over from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade last August that sent Marlon Byrd and John Buck to the Pirates, has been preparing all off season to be ready for his first full season with the Mets organization.

The second baseman competed in last years All-Star Futures game at Citi Field, while still a part of the Pirates’ organization and little did he realize he was actually showcasing his skills for his future club.

After he finished the 2013 season with the Savannah Sand Gnats and helped them win the SAL Championship, he went back home to play with the Sincelejo Bulls in the Colombian Professional Baseball League. The league consists of four teams from cities around the country and at the end of the regular season, the second and third best teams play with the winner facing the top seeded team for the league championship. Herrera’s team is one of the top teams still playing for a chance to win a championship.

I asked Herrera how does he feel about his development from the off season and I translated from Spanish into English for our readers to enjoy, “I have improved a lot here in Colombia and with the Mets this year, I hope to continue working hard so I can play in the big leagues soon,” says the second base prospect.

From my conversations with various prospects, they all have the same attitude as Herrera, that having the opportunity to play in the majors is not an easy task, hard work is put in each and every day and the end result is that their dreams become their reality.  These are the types of players that you hope reach their goals, because the teams will be that much better when they arrive.

On a side note: When Herrera arrived with the Mets last summer, he was reunited with good friend and third base prospect Pedro Perez, who last season played with the Kingsport Mets. Both competed this winter in the Colombian Winter league and should be in camp together next month.

(Photo: ESPN.go.com and Dilson Herrera’s Twitter Page)