Jesus

Flores

Flores is batting .261/.325/.469 in 371 at-bats. His 109/22 K/BB ratio leaves something to be desired, but that he has 16 homers in the Florida State League is pretty impressive. His bat could make him a quality fantasy catcher someday.

Flores was 9-for-15 as the St. Lucie won the best-of-five series in four games and hit .471 between the two postseason series. Martinez had been 0-for-9 in the series before going 2-for-3 with the homer and a walk Sunday. It was the Mets’ second title in four years.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said this week that he wants to continue to give playing time to young catchers Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores. It only makes sense. Pudge, 39, will be a free agent this offseason.

Flores was the team’s catcher of the future a couple years ago, but after missing most of 2009 and all of 2010 with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, he’s been passed up on the organizational depth chart by Wilson Ramos. Though he remained healthy this season, Flores batted only .234/.252/.378 at Triple-A and .209/.253/.314 with the Nats, and at 27, it’s fair to question how much upside he has left. Ramos, who enters his second year of arbitration this winter, seems to embrace the possibility of a fresh start elsewhere. “I’m still 27,” he said. “I’m in good shape. I still have a lot of talent to be a No. 1 catcher.”

Just a routine day off for Ramos, who is hitting .255/.328/.353 with one homer, six RBI and a .681 OPS so far this season. Jesus Flores will start in his place and bat eighth against left-hander Clayton Kershaw.

Flores has taken over as the Nationals’ starting catcher in the wake of Wilson Ramos’ potentially season-ending ACL tear. The 27-year-old is batting just .231/.273/.256 so far this season but has shown flashes of offensive production in the past when given regular playing time. He’s worth owning in NL-only fantasy leagues.

Leon will start at catcher and bat eighth against the Padres. He was called up from Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday to provide depth in the absence of Wilson Ramos, who suffered a season-ending right knee injury on Saturday night. Jesus Flores is expected to get the bulk of playing time behind the plate going forward.

It’s what was feared. Nationals manager Davey Johnson says Ramos will be “out for most of the year” following surgery, but we’d be shocked if he made it back at all. It’s a notable blow to the Nationals, as Ramos is valued for his defensive work and isn’t shabby with the bat, either. Jesus Flores will be the regular catcher now and does have some offensive upside. He’s a worthy replacement for fantasy owners that lost Ramos, though Flores is a big injury risk himself.

Ramos lay on the ground wincing in pain until trainers picked him up -- one on each side -- and carried him off. He could barely put any pressure on his right leg as he left the field. The 24-year-old backstop is undergoing an MRI and seems likely to be out for an extended period of time. The Nationals will turn to Jesus Flores.

We’re assuming he’s just getting the night off. Jesus Flores will start in his place and bat eighth against right-hander Kevin Correia.