Mets fans could have been a bit confused on Sunday after they saw Wilmer Flores was pitching against the Amazin’s.
But there was no mistake on the screen and it wasn’t the Wilmer Flores they were considering of.
The Tigers’ Flores is an up-and-coming pitching prospect who shares the identical name as the previous Mets and current Giants infielder, Wilmer Flores, who can also be the pitcher’s older brother.
That’s definitely loads to digest, but to make it much more complicated there may be a 3rd brother also named Wilmer Flores and their dad also carries the identical name.
The Tigers’ right-hander is among the many organization’s top 30 prospects and had a superb showing on Sunday afternoon against the Mets.
Flores, 23, pitched two innings and allowed only a success while on the hill.
He threw 17 pitches in total within the Tigers’ 3-2 spring training win at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.
Flores threw eight fastballs through the outing along with his fastest pitch hitting 99.4 mph, which was his highest velocity through the spring, in accordance with MiLB Pipeline reporter Sam Dykstra.
Flores is ranked tenth within the Tigers’ prospect rankings by MLB.com and he’s the fourth-highest-ranked pitcher within the group.
“Flores’ big frame and delivery screams power pitcher, but when he’s on, he can range his fastball in all places from 92 to 99 mph, leaving hitters struggling to time him when he kilos the zone,” the righty’s prospect profile reads.
Last season, Flores struck out 90 batters over 89 innings and had a WHIP of 1.31.
He handled injuries last season that hampered his time on the sector and a few of his development.
The expectation is that Flores will start this season in Triple-A Toledo.
But soon enough there might be a second Wilmer Flores in the foremost leagues.