2011 Season in Review: Brad Emaus

The New York Mets went 77-85 in 2011. As suggested by the sub-par record, there were a fair share of ups and downs throughout the season. “2011 Season in Review,” which will be an ongoing series, will analyze every single Mets player that picked up a ball or glove in 2011, for better or worse. This particular “2011 Season in Review” will take a look at infielder Brad Emaus.
When Rising Apple interviewed Brad Emaus back in February, it was a time when many people thought Emaus would truly be a diamond in the rough. However, after the Rule 5 Pick struggled mightily for the Mets, the second baseman was designated for assignment in mid-April, returned to the Blue Jays, and then traded to the Rockies in a three-day span. Needless to say, the “Brad Emaus Era” was over almost as soon as it started.
Emaus, who was handed the started second base job out of Spring Training, didn’t quite run away with the job as the Mets had hoped he would. The 25 year-old infielder swatted a meager .162/.262/.162 line with 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, and 0 SB in 42 PA’s, and also looked lost in the field from time to time too (despite gloving a 12.5 UZR/150 in 83.3 innings at second base).
Regardless of the disappointing result, it’s easy to understand why the Mets picked him in the Rule 5 Draft. Emaus owned a career .276/.364/.426 line in the minors, and posted an impressive .290/.397/.476 line with 15 HR, 75 RBI, 79 R, and 13 SB between Double-A and Triple-A line 2010. In addition, Mets Assistant General Manager J.P. Riccardi drafted him when he was the General Manager of the Blue Jays back in 2007.
After his short tenure with the Mets, Emaus continued to produce in the Minors–this time at Triple-A with the Rockies. The infielder posted a fantastic .313/.389/.564 line with 9 homeruns, 28 RBI, 37 runs, and 3 stolen bases in 186 plate appearances. Yet, despite his steady Minor League production, he doesn’t figure to make the Rockies 40-man roster–which would expose him again to the Rule 5 Draft. It’s unlikely another Major League team will use a pick on him, so Brad Emaus could be a Colorado Rockie for a bit.