Mets prospect Chris Suero has set a minor-league stolen-base record for a catcher, adding another wrinkle to the team's looming decision on whether to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
A catcher stealing 37 bases in a season isn't supposed to happen.
Chris Suero has done it anyway, giving the New York Mets another reason to think carefully about what they will do with one of the more unusual prospects in their system this offseason.
As Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post reported Friday, Suero has set a minor-league record for stolen bases by a player who primarily plays catcher, breaking the record he tied last season.
That combination of speed and position alone makes the 22-year-old stand out.
For perspective, no catcher in MLB history has stolen more than John Wathan's 36 bases for the Kansas City Royals in 1982, while Hall of Famer Ray Schalk holds the career record with 176 steals while playing catcher.
Suero now has 37 this season.
But his value to the Mets goes beyond his ability to run.
Suero has played catcher, center field, left field and first base, giving New York the type of positional versatility that could eventually make him a useful piece on a major-league roster.
Legitimate questions remain about whether his bat will get him there.
Suero is hitting just .203 this season at Double-A Binghamton and has struck out 140 times. Those aren't numbers that typically scream major-league promotion.
Dig deeper, however, and the offensive picture becomes more interesting.
Suero has drawn 79 walks, helping him post a .350 on-base percentage despite his low batting average. He has also hit 18 home runs, providing considerably more power than his .203 average might suggest.
That unusual combination of power, patience, speed and defensive versatility is why the Mets could have an important decision to make this winter.
Suero will be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, meaning New York must decide whether to add him to its 40-man roster or risk another organization selecting him.
That's where things become complicated.
A player with a .203 average and significant swing-and-miss issues is hardly a finished product. Suero's 140 strikeouts show there is still plenty of development required offensively.
But players who can catch, play multiple other positions, hit for power, draw walks and steal 37 bases aren't exactly plentiful either.
Suero is currently ranked as the No. 17 prospect in the Mets organization by MLB Pipeline. His unusual skill set has only made his future more intriguing.
The Mets will have several roster decisions to make after the season, and protecting a developing Double-A player requires using a valuable 40-man spot.
Leaving Suero exposed, however, comes with its own risk.
Another organization could look past the batting average, see everything else he offers and decide his rare collection of tools is worth taking a chance on.
Suero still has plenty to prove before establishing himself as a major-league player.
But after doing something virtually unheard of for a catcher, he has given the Mets plenty to consider before deciding whether to leave him exposed this winter.
