Top Prospect
Alert
The Mets first round selection in 1998 out
of Texas A&M, this 6-foot-1 lefty is your classic throwback style
leadoff hitter. He has not homered since his high school days, instead,
his game has revolved around speed.
In 1999 at Double-A Binghamton, Tyner had a great season, finishing up
with a .313 average and 49 steals (19 2B, 5 3B, 33 RBI, 91 R, 62 BB and 46
SO in 518 at-bats). In a late promotion to Norfolk, he went 0-for-8.
In the field he has the speed to play center, but could eventually wind
up in left, especially if top prospect Alex Escobar stays healthy and
develops. Tyner's arm would also make a better fit in left. This spring he
has reported to camp at about 180 pounds in an attempt to add more punch
to his bat.
I would expect him to spend most of, if not all, this upcoming season
at Triple-A Norfolk. Success there would put him in line to play himself
into a role in the Mets outfield in 2001. Increasing his odds to make the
majors next season is that the current outfield group is getting old
(Daryl Hamilton and Rickey Henderson account for two-thirds of the current
starting outfield).
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