PORT ST. LUCIE — Wilmer Flores is looking forward to showing the Mets he can play his old position.
The rookie infielder has been taking grounders at shortstop since arriving at spring training last week, and said the adjustment has been easy. Flores played shortstop at Single-A St. Lucie in 2011, before switching to second and third base the following two seasons.
“There’s just a couple of things I need to work on, and I feel great,” Flores said.
The Mets would like to find a spot for Flores’ bat, but aren’t likely to keep him in the majors unless he can play on a regular basis.
Flores, according to manager Terry Collins, has drawn comparisons within the organization to former Mets infielder Edgardo Alfonzo.
“I don’t like to compare guys, but that is a big statement because Edgardo was an outstanding offensive player,” Collins said. “If that’s what Wilmer Flores is going to be, obviously you’ve got to find a position for him.”
Collins praised Flores for attending conditioning and nutritional camp in Michigan with several teammates in the offseason.
“He’s got a whole different body right now than he did at the end of last season,” Collins said. “He came in lighter, more athletic.”
Rafael Montero will be the starting pitcher for the Mets’ Grapefruit League opener on Friday against the Nationals. John Lannan and Daisuke Matsuzaka will start the following two games and Noah Syndergaard will be on display March 3 against the Braves at the Disney complex.
Collins and base-running coach Tom Goodwin presented Eric Young Jr. with an oversized wrestling championship belt as an award for leading the team in stolen bases last season with 38. Young displayed the belt on top of his locker.
“Everybody knows the significance of the belt, so it was a cool moment [Saturday],” Young said. “It was right at the end of the meeting, got everybody pumped up and it surprised me — I had no clue it was coming.”