With Todd Frazier now on the disabled list due to a hamstring strain, look for Luis Guillorme to make an impact in the New York Mets infield with his versatility.
While the New York Mets don’t exactly have the strongest farm system in baseball, one of their better prospects will get a chance to make an impact at the big league level. After Todd Frazier was placed on the disabled list Tuesday night due to a hamstring strain, the organization made the decision to call up Luis Guillorme from Triple-A Las Vegas.
While at Las Vegas, Guillorme had a slash line of .300/.394/.433 with a home run, 15 RBIs, and two stolen bases in 28 games. His seven doubles were the fourth most on the 51’s roster. He is the tenth best prospect in the organization according to MLB Pipeline.
Back in 2013, the New York Mets selected Guillorme in the tenth round of the 2013 MLB Draft. When he makes his big league debut, he will be the third player from that draft class to play in the Major Leagues (Dominic Smith and Kevin McGowan are the other two).
Right now, the Mets need an upgrade in the infield and at third base in particular. Their only two options are Wilmer Flores and Jose Reyes. When Reyes has played, he has been bad, to say the least, as he has five hits in his first 41 at-bats. As for Flores, he is going to be needed more at first base with Jay Bruce going on paternity leave this weekend.
That leaves third base potentially open for Guillorme to get a start or two in Philadelphia over the weekend. The 23-year-old has only played three games at third base in his professional career (2017 with Double-A Binghamton).
With that being said, he is one of the best defensive players in the organization at second base and shortstop. He made only five errors at second base last year in Binghamton, which is his strongest position in the infield. However, with Asdrubal Cabrera being the most consistent player on the team, don’t expect Guillorme to get many reps at second.
Last season, Guillorme was the Sterling Award winner in the organization at Double-A. With the Rumble Ponies, he hit .283 with a home run, 43 RBIs, a .376 on-base percentage, and he had more walks (72) than strikeouts (55). He doesn’t have the home run power, but he can pick up extra-base hits when needed. He was one of five players on the team with 20 doubles.
For Guillorme, this is a chance for him to make a good first impression. If he can shine at the big league level, it could open up a spot for him when Frazier comes back if Amed Rosario‘s struggles continue. Otherwise, the Mets could also keep him as a versatile infielder if they decide that the time is up for Reyes.
While Peter Alonso may get most of the spotlight in the New York Mets minor league system, Guillorme is a name to monitor in the system going forward. He has the ability to get on-base and to work the count. Now, will that success come over to Queens? Time will tell, but the Mets now add a glove in the infield that they needed.
