On Tuesday the Office of the Commissioner announced a prospect of the New York Mets was handed a 50-game suspension for drug use. Meanwhile, a Cuban prospect is preparing to hold private workouts within the next two weeks.
L.J. Mazzilli, the son of former Mets' outfielder and first baseman Lee Mazzilli, was the victim of the suspension. The 24-year-old tested positive for a drug of abuse and will serve his 50-game ban without pay at the start of the 2015 season. The middle infielder slashed .306/.433/.469 with one home run and seven RBIs in 15 games during this year's Arizona Fall League.
In 131 games between Class-A Savannah, Advanced Class-A St. Lucie and Triple-A Las Vegas (one game), Mazzilli batted .301/.361/.440 with 79 runs scored, 11 home runs, 79 RBIs and 14 stolen bases.
"He's a really good hitter," said Scottsdale Scorpions (Arizona Fall League team) batting coach Val Pascucci via this New York Post article. "He's got great hands when he doesn't try to do too much. When he stays within himself, he's got a good approach to the plate."
Unfortunately Mazzilli will have to wait a while before showing off those skills in 2015.
As for another young middle infielder, Cuba's Yoan Moncada could be heading for the States soon. After defecting from Cuba and establishing residency in Guatemala, the 19-year-old is waiting to be cleared by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control to officially become a free agent, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez.
Once Moncada gets clearance he's expected to hold private workouts for MLB teams, which could be as soon as two weeks. He already impressed 60-70 scouts in his showcase he held in early November and it's believed he could receive a record $40 million guaranteed for a foreign amateur player. Moncada is a power-hitting lefty and can play the middle infield - something a number of MLB clubs are looking for.
The young Cuban star will likely start in the minors, but he could be seen in an MLB uniform soon.
