Anderson Hernandez

[Amazinz]

Article in the Daily News suggests that he might be getting the call soon:

In split second, Hernandez's stock soars
BY ADAM RUBIN

Manny Acta was managing Anderson Hernandez in early January when he and Lupe Jabalera, a Dominican-based Mets coach, playfully told the shortstop: "You never know, in a few days we might not be only your boss in winter ball."

Acta, the Mets' infield coach, was acting on inside information. Sure enough, on Jan. 6 - and with Acta's blessing - the Mets obtained Hernandez, 22, from Detroit for Vance Wilson.

Hernandez, a switch-hitter, quickly has emerged as the organization's top upper-level position-player prospect. Minor-league teammates say he's a better fielder than Jose Reyes. And now Hernandez's bat has arrived, too.

Hernandez began at Binghamton because of concern about whether he could hold up at the plate, but he hit .326 with seven homers and 24 RBI at the Double-A level, prompting a promotion to Norfolk. He entered the weekend with a .368 average at the Triple-A level in 95 at-bats. He has 22 steals overall.

"He's a very gifted guy with very soft hands and terrific footwork," Acta said. "Even until he started hitting two years ago, the Tigers considered him a major leaguer just on the defense."

A natural shortstop blocked by Reyes, Hernandez is now more than dabbling at second. His last eight starts through Friday came at the position, though he shifts to shortstop for the ninth inning of tight games. Hernandez clearly has jumped ahead of the organization's other second-base prospects, injured Jeff Keppinger and Binghamton's Aarom Baldiris (.280, 4 HR, 37 RBI).

[Amazinz]

Mets.com reported yesterday that Mets have interest in Dodgers' second baseman Jeff Kent, which, in this reporter's opinion, is the right kind of hitter the Mets need; a right-handed, line-drive hitter with pop that can bat cleanup.

However, unless he's coming here to play first base all the time, the deal makes little sense for the Mets, who are said to be planning the promotion of Anderson Hernandez to play second base sooner rather than later.

"They're doing the same thing with (Andy) that they did with Wright," said a baseball source close to the Mets' organization. "He killed AA pitching, now he's killing AAA pitching, can play great "D", and is as fast as Reyes on the bases."

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[Mets4Life]

Can't wait to see him play from those reports

[killiansjmd]

Does he have better leadoff potential than Reyes???

[Amazinz]

I'm not sure. Looking at his stats so far I'd say probably so but he came over from Detroit for Vance Wilson in January so I've only been keeping up on him recently. He couldn't be any worse than Cammy has been lately out of the 2-hole right?

[j24jags]

it seems like the mets r getting closer to a deal for soriano, the rangers said theyd take heilman, cameron and milledge now, which is stupid b/c if the rangers were smart theyd go for pitching like petit. If that deal was petit instead of milledge i think it wud be better for both teams. if they get soriano, wats up w/ hernandez?

[Amazinz]

Take it for what it's worth but Stark said the Soriano trade was never really real and that the Mets have started negotiations with TB for Huff.

[killiansjmd]

Newrak Star Ledger says the Mets say there is no truth to the Huff rumors.

[Amazinz]

Yeah I don't think we can believe any of the rumors we hear this time of year. But they're still fun.

[Broncmet724]

I get to see some of the Tides games living in the area, and Anderson is rather exciting to watch. Still kinda over the 35 over crowd playing here