Wuilmer Becerra
| AB | 1886 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .282 |
| OBP | .341 |
| SLG | .366 |
| HR | 20 |
- Full name Wuilmer Gabriel Becerra
- Born 10/01/1994 in Caracas, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 243 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Blue Jays might never live down trading Noah Syndergaard to the Mets for R.A. Dickey in December 2012, but adding insult to injury is the fact Toronto also surrendered Travis d'Arnaud and Becerra in the deal. Becerra signed for $1.3 million in 2011 but has progressed slowly, in part because he suffered a broken jaw in his 2012 pro debut. Injuries also curtailed his 2016 season at high Class A St. Lucie, when Becerra hit .312 in 65 games despite a labrum tear in his right shoulder. He had season-ending surgery in July after hitting only one home run and playing the field sporadically (13 times) because he struggled to throw. When healthy, Becerra shows across-the-board ability but perhaps not a carrying tool. He has the strength, bat speed and loft to hit for at least average power. He has hit the ball hard consistently enough in the low minors to overcome ordinary walk and strikeout rates. The 6-foot-4 Becerra runs well and shows solid-average range in right field, where his above-average arm plays up because of accuracy. Some scouts think Becerra will grow into more power, and if it manifests he could be an everyday corner bat. Still just 22 in 2017, he will spend at least part of the year at Double-A Binghamton. -
The R.A. Dickey trade with the Blue Jays might not be done bearing fruit for the Mets. Along with frontline starter Noah Syndergaard and starting catcher Travis d'Arnaud, New York also acquired Becerra in the December 2012 transaction. He signed with Toronto for $1.3 million in 2011, but his 2012 campaign was truncated to 11 games when an errant pitch broke his jaw. Becerra made his full-season debut at low Class A Savannah in 2015, and he ranked 15th in the South Atlantic League with 39 extra-base hits, despite playing in the worst home-run park in the league. He projects to hit for at least average power with a strong righthanded swing that features enough quickness and loft to hit home runs. He'll need to clean up his plate approach and stop chasing breaking balls with two strikes to hit for average, but he showed improvement in that area in the second half of 2015. The 6-foot-4 Becerra shows solid-average speed and average range, and his throws from right field really carry with above-average arm strength. Scouts who like Becerra project him as a future big league regular who can do a bit of everything, but unless his power develops further, he might lack a carrying tool. The Mets neglected to add Becerra to the 40-man roster in November, leaving him exposed to the Rule 5 draft, and he heads to high Class A St. Lucie in 2016 after going unselected. -
Another big signing from the 2011 international class, Becerra brought home $1.3 million that July. Like Alberto Tirado, he also came to the United States for his debut, but his first foray into pro ball was short-lived. He had 32 at-bats before taking a pitch off the face and breaking his jaw on July 3. His jaw was wired shut and he missed the rest of the regular season, but he reported to instructional league and eased back into baseball activities. Becerra has strength and above-average raw power, but his bat draws mixed reviews. His swing can get long and has an uppercut, which may detract from his ability to hit for average. Becerra is a plus runner who fits best in the outfield despite playing shortstop as an amateur. He doesn't have the hands or arm for shortstop and figured to get too big for the position anyway. He fits in center field now and may have to shift to left if he loses speed when he fills out. Becerra essentially lost a season of development, so he may be destined to return to the GCL in 2013.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Becerra was one of three players to sign for more than a million dollars as part of the Blue Jays' 2011 international crop, which had the second-highest expenditure in the game at $7.6 million. He missed most of his first U.S. season because his jaw was wired shut after being broken on a pitch. Blue-chip prospects Noah Syndergaard and Travis d'Arnaud and Becerra were dealt for reigning Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey and extra pieces. Becerra made developmental strides this summer as his tools began to impact games. He has a gap-to-gap approach and above-average raw power, with strength and leverage in his righthanded stroke. He finished third in the league in home runs. His plate discipline and strike zone awareness will need to improve, as most of his strikeouts came out of the zone. His swing has length from a deep load and Becerra's stride was inconsistent. The athletic Becerra moves well for his size and is at least an average runner out of the box who is an above-average runner underway. He ranges well in the outfield and has at least an average arm that should allow him to stay in right field.
