Scouting Mets Prospect: Richard Lucas

Coming out of spring training in 2010, Richard Lucas was given one of the most aggressive assignments in the organization. Having played little at the full-season level previously, he arrived in St. Lucie with much less experience in A-ball. It was a disappointing year for Lucas who enters 2011 with an improving depth chart around him at third base. Can he turn it around? Look inside to find out.

Vital Statistics
Name: Richard Lucas
DOB: November 2, 1988
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 205
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Status: 4th Round (2007) - Wolfson HS (FL)

Year	Team	AVG.	AB	Hits	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB	K	OBP	SLG
2010	St. Lucie	.212	434	92	11	52	55	5	34	149	.285	.339
2009	Brooklyn	.250	60	15	0	6	4	1	7	14	.319	.400
2009	Kingsport	.357	98	35	4	21	28	1	20	20	.471	.622
2009	GCL	.333	18	6	0	3	1	1	2	5	.400	.500
2008	Kingsport	.185	27	5	1	3	2	0	3	11	.267	.333
2008	Savannah	.185	119	22	2	13	15	1	11	41	.252	.311
2007	GCL	.264	212	56	2	30	27	2	15	66	..320	.349

Batting and Power: Since his entry in the system, Richard Lucas has shown enticing raw power. He has plus power to the pull side, with the strength to drive the ball out of the yard to the opposite field. When he centers the ball, he does with authority while showing the bat speed to leads impressive line drives. However, despite good bat speed, he struggled with his timing and pitch awareness in St. Lucie. That can be attributed to his lack of previous playing time at the A-ball level, but it also has to do with his development.

Lucas has yet to obtain the plate discipline or pitch awareness to be a successful contact hitter at that level, and it showed in his 149 strikeouts in 434 at-bats (34.3%). He shows the ability to attack and execute on a pitcher’s mistake, but as a hitter he rarely sets the tone of at-bats and often finds himself fighting from behind in the count. Nevertheless, when going right, his ability to use the whole field and power give him a promising base as he develops the rest of his game.

Base Running and Speed: Lucas is an above-average runner who moves around the bases, taking the extra base when he can. He is athletic and a hard runner, but lacks the burst that would qualify him as a stolen base threat. He is also an aggressive runner, one who trusts his instincts though he lacks the raw speed to simply rely on.

Defense: Lucas has only played third base in this system, yet still has a ways to go. He is sound when playing the ball right in front of him, but when he is forced to make a play on the move his mechanics break down. His range is lacking to his left and when he goes to his right, he struggles to keep his body in front of the ball. That forces him to play the ball more with his hands, which are not the softest. Footwork and technique will be his two most pressing needs going forward. That will cut down on the fielding errors and get him in a better throwing position. He has a strong throwing arm, but could stand to improve his ability to hit the target.

Projection: Lucas enters 2011 in a precarious situation. He has not shown enough to warrant a promotion to Double-A and with other third baseman in the system vying for St. Lucie (Jefry Marte, Brian Harrison and Aderlin Rodriguez lurking), he may face a position where he loses a starting job entirely. If it comes to it, Lucas should make the switch to the outfield out of necessity, but he is staring at the most important season of his career.

ETA: 2013. Lucas will have to compete for his spot in St. Lucie during spring training. Whether he lands the starting third baseman’s job or not, he should remain at the level where he will have to play his way onto the field. If he can do that, and have a good year, there is a chance he can get to Binghamton. There is an outside shot he begins the year in Double-A, yet his 2010 showing makes it hard to believe that will develop. If he can turn things around, there is a shot of getting to New York in 2013.