Photo by Ernest Dove
We’ve reached that time of year where all of the minor league levels begin to have their respective all-star games, showcasing the young talent through the farm systems of all 30 teams. The St. Lucie Mets were just represented by 3 such talented prospects in the recent Florida State League all-star game, with Alberto Baldonado having been selected to play but was already promoted to the next level before the game. One player that was not selected was third baseman and perennial top 25 listed Mets prospect Jhoan Urena.
Since signing as a teenager out of Santiago, Dominican Republic Urena has spent his entire professional career within the Mets organization. From 2012-2014, spanning three different affiliates (DSL, GCL & NYP leagues), Urena played in a total of 186 games, with 702 ABs during this time. He hit a very respectable .292 collectively, with seven triples, nine homers and 41 doubles during this three-year span. All while being a perhaps much coveted switch-hitter with an ability to hit for average from both sides of the plate. But then came 2015 in Port St. Lucie.
As a South Florida resident I much looked forward to seeing Jhoan in person last year but disaster struck in the form of injury and he was already out on the DL by the time I made it to my first game that year. Even before the injury Jhoan was having a career low season in every major offensive category, ending the year with 69 total games played, mostly with the St. Lucie team.
Thankfully, Urena is still very young (he will play out the 2016 season as a 21 year old) and has seemingly returned healthy and ready to go for this current season back with the St. Lucie Mets as he everyday third baseman. However, through the first half of the season, with Urena playing every day, he is continuing his 2015 performance, sporting a batting average right around .200 again this year.
However, of note, he also has zero stolen bases this season. In fact he’s only logged as having one actual stolen base attempt this season. Along the way the Mets drafted college third baseman who are now quickly coming age appropriate and skill level ready for High A level, including David Thompson and the soon to be returning from suspension Eudor Garcia. So where does any of this leave the young Jhoan Urena?
This year I’ve been able to watch him play live at Tradition Field on two separate occasions and I did like what I saw in the raw talent. Even just physically, he looks really big and strong. He seemed stronger at the plate as a lefty hitter, and showed line drive power with a nice compact swing. Defensively, I saw him make some nice plays, showing range and a quick glove. Regarding arm strength I did technically watch him short hop a throw which lead to an error in one of the games, but overall his arm looked strong. (not related to anything but side note is that he and his teammates really enjoy eating star bursts).
The question for the here and now is what to do about the fact that David Thompson has been leading the Sally League in RBIs and is maintaining a solid batting average while showing home run and doubles power. The Mets, outside of guys like Rosario and Dominic Smith, and of course just recently Michael Conforto, have had a tendency to certainly not rush guys through system, but they do also preach ‘earning your keep at the level’ and David has been doing exactly that.
Now, thinking outside the box, in my head I can come up with an evil plan involving Thompson, Urena and even Garcia all taking turns in St. Lucie as the respective 3B, 1B and DH on any given night, but at some point decisions still need to be made on these prospects long-term with their positions and projectability going forward.
Personally, I’m still a big fan of Jhoan Urena. As a 21 year old, I have no problem waiting him out the season and into next even if more and more time is spent at the high-A level getting it all together. And there’s just no denying the 2015 injury and impact on a 20-year old losing a bunch of at bats and experience. Surprisingly, the most games played in a season by Jhoan was in 2014 when he was in the half season Brooklyn team.
It’s time we see him at least break the 120 game barrier, much higher than his career high 75 games in rookie ball. The strength is there. The swing appears to be there. I believe the defense holds up long term at 3B. It’s just time to get that baseball ‘timing’ back and start to hit for average again.
Completely agree Ernest. I still have high expectations of Urena, including a solid second half
This guy looked like a Natural Bat 2 years ago… his box scores and Stats are all I’ve seen since then–Not Good!!!
What’s his Rule 5 Status?….. does he have another year protected?
Rule 5 eligible this year. Not concerned someone picking him, considering Rosario, Cecchini, Becerra, Flexen, Molina, Nido, McGowan all need to be protected as well.
Some nice talent in that group. Would think that Molina would not have to be protected coming off TJS and having pitched only 8 games in High A ball – what do you think?
Have to think Cecchini will certainly be protected as he is so proximate to the MLB.
With the others, its always a trade off between using a roster spot and gambling on whether another team would truly select the player, given their performance and proximity to the MLB. Obviously, their performance in the 2nd half of the year will impact the decision, but would have to think that Rosario definitely gets protected as well given his pedigree and likely Top 100 ranking. The others will be interesting.
I agree on Molina, who will probably be ready late August, but holding him back should cast enough doubt to prevent him from being selected.
Becerra should be protected this year, cutting down his k rate and putting the ball in play improved his stock.
Rosario is a must protect
Cecchini is most likely traded IMO
Nido is one I can see getting selected. Catchers who play good d have been in the past.
Only thing with Molina is that someone could take him and then DL him since he could be out until August, meaning you’d only need to keep him a month or so on the 25 man
This August will be 12 months on Molina. He should play winterball. Depending on if the Mets protect him, he could be in the AFL to make up for lost innings
oh yeah then I doubt someone would pick him considering his overall lack of experience, and since he doesn’t throw 100 or close to it I doubt anyone would pick him this year
Thanks NYM. Was wondering if that was a possible issue – wasn’t sure if the DL was a viable hiding place for these guys, particularly as he should be back pitching by as early as late this summer.
Perhaps one silver lining on Urena knowing this rule 5 status is that he can and should be stuck in lucie again the entire year. I mean I guess crazier things have happened but how does a mlb team hide em am entire year on bench straight outta A ball?
Although if Becerra is in same situation I wouldn’t risk it I’d protect him. Hes a beast physically and can’t risk potential Grandy replacement leaving.
Im intrigued by the free swinging Nido so I hope end of day he’s still with organization next year.
yep, that’s why you see a lot of guys who are injured or suspended get picked because it’s a perfectly fine way to stash them
I think it was Arizona who took a catcher from Tampa straight from A ball.
Agree in Becerra too. It is a little easier to hide a fifth OF than a corner IF.
Thompson needs to be moved up….he cant stay at Colombia all season long.
I agree 100% but I guess im just going by what a couple people have said in past about possible long term concerns with thompson defense anyway so perhaps why not get him High A level at bats at DH and 1B in order to let Urena keep on keeping on.
Not to be a party pooper, but I don’t see why Urena should block Thompson. If anything, they should switch. Last year, the Mets didn’t want Urena playing in the offensive graveyard in Savannah, so they jumped him from Low A Brooklyn to High A St. Lucie. But, he struggled last year and is struggling this year. Let him try Columbia for half a year and see if it helps him; next year he can come back up to St. Lucie. He will be 22 next year, and still on course for his age, but I would think he needs to master High A by next year’s end.
Keep Urena at 3B in StL all season, play Eudor Garcia at 1B in StL and jump Thompson up to Binghamton, he’s too advanced for A ball, just very injury prone…plus that Binghamton needs all the help it can get