At what point does Wilmer Flores get attention?

Yes this is my second post regarding Wilmer Flores but I just could not resist. Today he is 3/4 with an rbi and a run scored and (remember he is 16 years old and a SS) is posting a 331/372/530 in 172 ab’s. He is a big kid (6’3) and likely will outgrow SS… but A-Rod never really outgrew the position, nor did Ripken. I am NOT comparing him to either guy but how many 16 year olds in recent history have sprung on the scene to this degree? Will he be on BA’s top 100 list? What do people think of him?

I’d say he’s gotten about as much publicity as any rookie league guy this year, and he’s likely to be on just about any and all top 5 Mets prospect lists going into next year.

attention would qualify as too much or an overhype

When you talk about 6’3 teenage shortstops who grow out of the position, you might have to think less of Ripken and more of Wilson Betemit. Betemit is also a good cautionary tale about shortstop prospects who destroy the lower minors as kids, but don’t mature gracefully as players.

But yeah, I’m excited about Flores. Credit Kevin Goldstein with putting him in the Mets’ top ten before the year, and look for everyone to put him on their big lists this winter.

Peter failed to mention that Flores turned 17 today.

Before turning 17, Flores hit .331/.370/.535 with eight doubles, three triples, seven homers and 33 RBI in 41 games for Kingsport.

As you should know, as a 16 year old, Flores should have been a junior in high school this year. Can you imagine Wilmer Flores against high school pitchers? With an aluminum bat? Honestly, I’m not sure of how to rank Wilmer Flores right now because he’s so young, but I would have to believe that this guy would be a possible #1 pick coming out of high school..

For comparison, at age 17, Jose Reyes only managed to hit .250 in 49 games for Kingsport.

I thought international signings could sign when they turned 16, once the international signing period had started, but they would not be able to play in North America until the next year( when they are 17).

1. Age with respect to league is not a virtue with the Mets organization, where they rush everyone. Met fans are hyping Flores right now because they have little else to hang their hats on.

2. The stats are nice, but they totally depend on scouting reports. Reyes may have struggled at 17, but maybe the scouts saw something. I’m not saying they necessarily don’t in Wilmer Flores, we just don’t have that information yet.

3. Typically, international prospects need to prove themselves in full-season ball to really get some momentum moving. If Flores does this in the Sally league next year, he’ll be a top 50 prospect.

at age 17.

I haven’t seen him hyped up a whole lot…