Jesus Flores

by dkny22 on Jun 18, 2008 12:08 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

Hey guys. I'm trying to find out a little more info on the Nats' starting catcher other than just his stats. Anyone have a scouting report on this guy? I know he was a Rule V pickup from the Mets who made the team and actually held his own last year. He seemed to be a decent, but obviously not top tier, prospect when he was claimed from NY. But this year, albeit in only 100+ ABs, he seems to have really taken a big step in adjusting to MLB pitching (to the tune of a .900+ OPS)....enough so that the Nats have named him the starting C even though newly acquired Paul LoDuca has returned from injury.

Anyway, I'd like to know, from anyone who has watched him extensively this year, if they think his performance for real - if they think it's sustainable. Is there anyone that he compares favorably to? Also, what about his defense? Is it as advanced as his bat seems to be?

Any info would be appreciated! Thanks.

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To be fair

He wasn’t a top-top prospect when he was claimed from the Mets, but his biggest problem at the time was that it didn’t dawn on anyone (read: Minaya) that he was ready enough for the majors to be taken in the Rule 5 draft.

The most impressive thing is that last year and in the minors he looked like he would need to be platooned against righties, but this year he’s slugging against everyone.

by aap212 on Jun 18, 2008 12:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Flores

I really don’t understand why people think he isn’t for real. He’s just a shade below the top C prospects like Clement/Salty/Wieters. PECOTAs 75th percentile line is .270/.334/.472, which certainly seems reasonable, and his prediction put him around those numbers for the next 7 years or so. That’s really valuable coming from the C position. Given that he’s a catcher, at 23 he still has some development left. That he has made the tremendously difficult leap from A+ to MLB is also a huge testament to his ability to adjust, so I think he can only continue to get better, which could mean him maintaining his numbers once his BABIP comes down.

He’s not going to put up a .950 OPS, but .850 could be where he ends up and that is nasty for a 23 y/o catcher with stunted development. He’s a keeper.

I'll warm up with you anytime

by ufoboy90 on Jun 18, 2008 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Flores

I’ve been happy with his performance this year(who isn’t?). I liked Baseball Prospectus’s book comment this year, which was fairly good as the PECOTA numbers suggest.

That being said, I am surprised that it has happened this quickly. I was thinking he would need more time in the minors, especially after his AAA performance this year. What does this say, where a player does ok in the minors, but does quite well in the majors?

The same could be said of Alexi Casilla. His minor league numbers this year were terrible, and he only got the call due to injuries. He got hot in the bigs and has a job for at least a little while longer, assuming he keeps hitting.

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by dbimberg on Jun 18, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As a Met Fan

As a mets fan, I was pretty high on Flores. He was a young catcher in Single A who put up decent numbers for the league. The report was that he had major league defense and the tools to put it all together to be a complete catcher, but that it would take time. Apparently, the length of time has been sorely mistaken. However, I haven’t seen enough of him recently to know how far he truly has progressed.

by thudean on Jun 18, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not really “Major League Defense”....Strong Arm but he hasn’t shown it off well to date, and below average in most other aspects defensively. The reason he started the year in the minor leagues was because they felt his Defense wasn’t ready for the big leagues, it probably still isn’t.

The thing with Flores is his Power is very real, the ability to hit for average probably isn’t. .251 hitter in the minors, .244 last year. Strikes out alot, historically doesn’t walk alot.

Everything in his history seems to indicate he will eventually regress in the average department. I see him as a .260/.330/.450 hitter. Good enough to hold down a starters job, probably good enough so Mets Fans won’t shut the hell up about him. But he’s not an all-star or anything like that.

by adropofvenom on Jun 18, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mad at the Nats

As a Mets fan, you can blame the Mets for not protecting him as he put up average numbers in single A before he was taken. However, I think he has a bright future. I see some .290/.360/.500 seasons in his prime.

by supermets on Jun 18, 2008 6:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Seen him live more than a few times this year, lots on TV

and the question about him last year wasn’t so much hitting as much as defense. He had a helluva time with foul pop-ups, and blocking balls in the dirt.. This year, he looks a LOT better. Some reports have Pat Corrales having worked with him on the D, I hope so.

At bat, he seems to be going deeper into the count than last year, even though it's not reflected greatly in his k/BB rate.  And ya gotta like the pop.!  He looks more confident at the plate, and just more fearsome.

by VladiHondo on Jun 19, 2008 8:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs