Two familiar faces appear in this week's New York Mets Minor League Update.
Pitcher Of The Week: Zack Wheeler (7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 Ks, 1 Win)
We could pretty much pencil in Zack Wheeler for 'Pitcher of the Week' every week. This marks the third time in the past four weeks that Wheeler has earned the honors.
Wheeler is far and away the Mets top prospect, and absolutely torching Double A in 2012. The only blemish on his resume is a modest walk problem. However; his strikeout numbers, average against and groundball tendency do a good job of masking his lone blemish.
Expect him in Triple A, and possibility the Major Leagues, by season's end.
Hitter Of The Week: Matt Den Dekker (.630, 4 Doubles, 4 RBIs, 1 BB, 6 Ks, 3 SBs)
Much like Wheeler, Den Dekker frequents as the Mets hitting prospect of the week. This is also his third 'Hitter of the Week' honors.
Here's what I had to say about Den Dekker on May 14:
Den Dekker is putting together a very solid season with the Birmingham Mets in Double A. His slash line on the season is .295/.361/.525 and his strikeout rate is down from last season. If he can continue this pace, he may be able to be a below average starting outfielder in the majors, but it's more likely he tops out as a reserve. At 24 he's not young for his level at all.
Since then Den Dekker has continued to rake, and his season average is up to .340 on the season. Over the last 10 games, he's batting .488 with an unsustainably high OPS of 1.219.
Den Dekker remains a fringe prospect. He's not as good as his season projects, but if continues to hit at anywhere near the rate he has in 2012, he could certainly assert himself as a regular in the Mets outfield in a year or two. He still strikes out too often.
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