Mets fans may have been a little confused on Sunday when 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 thinking of.
The Tigers’ Flores is an up-and-coming pitching prospect who shares the same name as the former Mets and current Giants infielder, Wilmer Flores, who is also the pitcher’s older brother.
That’s certainly a lot to digest, but to make it even more complicated there is a third brother also named Wilmer Flores and their dad also carries the same name.
The Tigers’ right-hander is among the organization’s top 30 prospects and had a good showing on Sunday afternoon against the Mets.
Flores, 23, pitched two innings and allowed only a hit while on the hill.
He threw 17 pitches in total in the Tigers’ 3-2 spring training win at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.
Flores threw eight fastballs during the outing with his fastest pitch hitting 99.4 mph, which was his highest velocity during the spring, according to MiLB Pipeline reporter Sam Dykstra.
Flores is ranked 10th in the Tigers’ prospect rankings by MLB.com and he’s the fourth-highest-ranked pitcher in the group.
“Flores’ big frame and delivery screams power pitcher, but when he’s on, he can range his fastball everywhere from 92 to 99 mph, leaving hitters struggling to time him when he pounds 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 dealt with injuries last season that hampered his time on the field and some of his development.
The expectation is that Flores will start this season in Triple-A Toledo.
But soon enough there could be a second Wilmer Flores in the major leagues.
