This is my first post in a while. MetsMinors.Net is starting a new series of who we believe will be our top breakout candidates for 2016. Both editors have picked 3 prospects we believe will break out in 2016 and be on the radar for this coming minor league system. I will kick this off with sweet-swinging Jhoan Urena.
Jhoan Ureña was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2011 for $425,000. In his first 3 seasons between three short-season clubs, Ureña never batted below .279 (DSL, 2012), and showed a little pop, hitting 5 home runs and 20 doubles while hitting .300/.356/.431 in 75 games with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2014.
In 2015 however, he had a year to forget. Promoted with his left-side infield companion Amed Rosario to High-A St. Lucie from the Cyclones, Ureña did not do very well in .214/.257./267 in 64 games. There is an explanation however for why Ureña did not perform: he broke hamate bones in both hands, and had a couple wrist sprains before and afterwards. Hamate bones are notorious injuries with repercussions in power. They also take a long time, multiple months to heal, and surgery to remove the broken bones.
The Mets have assured that the 21-year-old Ureña will be ready for Spring Training, and if healthy, he could go back to his old hitting ways, and find himself permanently on the prospect radar as a legitimate candidate for the future of 3rd base. A true 3rd baseman with a great arm, he a couple of issues he needs in the field in terms of his fielding actions, however, he is young and projects out to an average fielder.
The switch hitter has a nice stroke from both sides, and has a solid line-drive approach, as well as advanced bat-to-ball skills that allow him to make contact, and could produce a .280 average with home run projection in the teens. He will likely repeat at St. Lucie to start out 2016, but we believe it will be a tale of two seasons in contrast to last year.
Stay Tuned for more articles on Mets Breakout Candidates.
Looking Back…
2011-2012 International Free Agent Class:
C Jose Garcia – $800,000
3B Jhoan Urena – $425,000
C Dionis Rodriguez – $185,000
LHP Adrian Almeida – $170,000
RHP Marcos Molina – $100,000
Welcome back Teddy, agree on all fronts. He rebounds in repeating A+, putting himself back on publications top 10 lists. Could see a second half cameo in Binghamton; depending on playoff races.
Definitely think that if he stays healthy, he will finish in Bingo. Most have him just outside the top 10 despite basically a lost season.
With Ureña underperforming at St.Lucie and Eudor Garcia doing so well at Savannah, who do you think will be the starter in StL? Will either of them start the year in Savannah or Binghamton?
Both will probably be in StL to start the year; Urena the better fielder will get majority of games at third. Garcia get some starts at third, DH, and probably see time at first, maybe a little exposure to LF.