This report is about Wuilmer Gabriel (Benavente) Becerra. He is an outfielder for the Single-A Savannah Gnats but I think he will start next season with the St Lucie Mets.
Becerra is born on the Oct. 1, 1994 in Caracas, Venazuela. Becerra was signed as an international free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011. The signing bonus was $1.3 million.
He started his pro career in 2012 in the Gufcoast league for the Toronto Blue Jays. He went 8-32 (.250 avg) in 11 games. He walked four times so his on base prencentage was .359. He had no homeruns and drove in four. Four of his eight hits where doubles and he got hit by the pitch twice.
In the offseason of 2012-2013, Becerra was part of the famous R.A. Dickey trade. In that trade the Mets gave up R.A. Dickey, Josh Thole, Mike Nikeas and the Mets got Travis d Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard, John Buck and Wuilmer Becerra.
As an 18-year-old, he started the 2013 season in the Gulfcoast league with the Mets. In 52 games Becerra hit .243 with a .351 on base precentage. He drove in 25 with one home run but also struck out 60 times in 173 at-bats.
In 2014 Becerra plays for the Kingsport Mets in the Rookie League. He hit an even .300 with a .351 on base precentage. He showed a lot more power with seven home runs and 29 RBI in 207 at-bats. His strike outs where down a bit with 55, but he also walked less.
He played the 2015 season as a 20 year old with Single-A Savannah Gnats. He had a break out season batting .290 with a .342 on base precentage. He hit nine home runs and drove in 63. He also had three triples and stole 16 bases, but he did get caught eight times. He played a total of 118 games this season.
He is on the Mets top 10 prospects list and he was not protected for the Rule V draft. Luckily he was not taken in the fraft because I would not like to lose this talented kid.
My take on Becerra:
Becerra is starting to show his promise in the minors. He is starting to hit for some power and he has the ability to steal some bases. He does not have a great first step but when he is running he has long strides that provides his speed.
This season in Single-A was an important year for Becerra. His strikeouts where down per 9 in Single-A. He had a break out season and I think Becerra will start the 2016 season with the Single-A St Lucie Mets.
If he adjust and makes more contact he is capable being a major leaguer in some years. He could be an above average outfielder with the capabillity to hit 20 or so homeruns and steal some bases.
He is still a couple of years away from the bigs but worth keeping an eye on! Hope you all like this prospect reports! If you want me to write one about a Mets player let me know!
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