From Throw In To Big Win: Wuilmer Becerra

     It was the 17th of December, 2012, when the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays made their blockbuster deal official. The deal involved the reigning National League Cy Young winner and two of MLB's top 30 prospects. The Mets sent knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey and two catchers that were comfortable with his signature pitch: Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. In return, Toronto sent top catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, fire-throwing, elite-pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard, major league backstop John Buck, and minor league outfielder Wuilmer Becerra. 

     Obviously, the rewards of this deal have been starting catcher and one of the league's best: Travis d'Arnaud and young dominating pitcher Noah Syndergaard. John Buck was also later used as a piece in the trade to acquire top second base prospect Dilson Herrera.   However, Becerra, thought to be only a throw-in at the time, began to blossom into much  more than just an added bonus. 
     In 2012, Wuilmer signed as a 17-year old Venezuelan international free agent. At the time of the trade, he was the 25th ranked prospect in Toronto's weak system after just playing 11 games in the Gulf Coast League. The year 2013 was Becerra's first full professional season where he displayed modest numbers for the Gulf Coast Mets. With 206 plate appearances over 52 games, Wuilmer hit .243/.351/.295 with only one HR and 25 RBI. A promotion followed in 2014 for Becerra as his professional career was moved to the Kingsport Mets. This is where Becerra would take the next step in his evolution to top prospect status. In such a short period of time, he showed much improvement at the plate  with a slash line of .300/.351/.469, 7 HRs, 29 RBI, 10 doubles, and stole 7 bases. 
    In 2015 while playing with the Savannah Sand Gnats (now known as the Columbia Fireflies), Becerra's skills only got better. He played in 118 games and had 487 plate appearances. Wuilmer recorded 130 hits, 27 doubles, 3 triples, 9 HR with 63 RBI, 16 SB, and 33 BB. He finished the season with a more than respectable slash line of .290/.342/.423/.765. Another year passed and another promotion for Becerra brought him to A ball in 2015 where he continued to improve. He continuously proved worthy of his increase in prospect level as he rose through the ranks of the organization. 
   "The jump to full season ball is a big one, and Becerra has maintained his power and the still developing approach has held its own against better and older arms. The tools package is still there too. Becerra is a good runner with enough arm for right field, and the power potential to be an everyday guy there. He's a long way away and still struggles with spin, but the potential here is as big as any position player in the Mets system right now." - Jeff Paternostro - Mets Insider Blogger
    As a potential call up to AA Binghamton looms and the stock of Becerra continues to rise, Mets' fans could not be more happy with the deal that was made back in December of 2012. Some scouts even predict that if he continues to develop, Becerra will eventually surpass fellow outfield prospect Brandon Nimmo in value within the organization. Regardless of his competition, fans are eager to see just what this prospect has to offer.