The Newest Met: Dilson Herrera
Aug 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets right fielder Marlon Byrd (6) scores a run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
On the day that it was announced that Matt Harvey would be placed on the disabled list after partially tearing a ligament in his right (pitching) elbow, The New York Mets sent outfield Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck to the playoff contending Pittsburg Pirates. The hard-hitting veterans were claimed on waivers early Tuesday. For Byrd and Buck, The Mets are receiving 19-year-old Dilson Herrera, who Baseball America ranked as the 20th best prospect in the Pittsburgh farm system before the season. Dilson has hit .265 for The Pirates’ Class A affiliate. Herrera has also amassed 11 homers and 56 RBIs in 423 at bats this season. Respectable hitting numbers aside, Herrera was named the best defensive second basemen in the South Atlantic League by Baseball America.
Herrera has been a part of The Pirates’ organization since he was 17 years old and has a solid .281 average in three seasons. While most of his hitting numbers are respectable, he has also struck out 110 times; a devastating figure for a non-power hitter. Strikeout statistics aside, Dilson has a potentially pretty promising future with The Mets’ organization. The 5’10 infielder from Cartagena, Columbia will most likely begin in the Florida State League for the 2014 season for the Mets’ Class A affiliate, St. Lucie Mets. While Herrera is not the type of prospect that the Mets have acquired in past trades like Zach Wheeler, but he is pretty exciting, especially for two expiring veteran contracts in Byrd and Buck. While we will not see Herrera in Flushing any time soon, he might be a part of the big league club in a couple of years, when the Mets may be relevant again. The Mets also acquired a player to be named later in the deal.