Mets manager Terry Collins reiterated Sunday he intends to get infielder Wilmer Flores playing time at shortstop this spring.
"First of all, I tip my hat to him. He's got a whole different body right now than he did at the end of the season," Collins said about Flores, per ESPN. "He went to the [fitness and nutrition] camp in Michigan. He looks tremendous. He came in lighter. He came in more athletic. I'm going to let him play some shortstop, but I want to see him at second. I want to see him at third."
While his defense remains a work in progress, Flores has proven he can get the job done at the plate and his offensive skills could help him land a spot on the roster this spring.
"The bat potential is off the charts," Collins said. "Everybody talks about what a big RBI guy he is, what he's going to be. Somebody told me yesterday they've watched him in winter ball for a few years and he reminds them of Fonzie [Edgardo Alfonzo]. That is a big statement. And I don't like to compare guys. But that is a big statement, because Edgardo was an outstanding offensive player. And if that's what Wilmer Flores is going to be, obviously you have to find a position for him to play."