Pirates deal prospect Herrera to Mets

As the Pittsburgh Pirates moved to secure their first playoff berth since 1992, their Class A West Virginia club lost a key contributor to its own postseason push.

The Pirates dealt second baseman Dilson Herrera, their No. 11 prospect, and a player to be named later to the Mets on Tuesday for veteran outfielder Marlon Byrd, catcher John Buck and cash considerations.

Herrera, a 19-year-old right-handed hitter from Cartagena, Colombia, is in his second season in the United States. He hit .286 with eight homers and 29 RBIs in 60 games for Class A Short-Season State College and the GCL Pirates last summer, leading the GCL in runs, extra-base hits and total bases. In his first full season with the Power this year, he's batted .265/.330/.421 with 11 homers and 56 RBIs in 109 games.

A 2013 All-Star Futures Game selection, Herrera got a chance to play in his new organization's home park in July. He lined out to second in his only at-bat in the World team's 4-2 loss at Citi Field.

Largely a third baseman with the VSL Pirates in 2011, Herrera has played exclusively at second the last two seasons as his arm is probably not good enough to stick on the left side of the infield. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has projected Herrera as an above-average hitter with more power than one might expect from his 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. He also projects as a well-above-average base runner, although he's notched only 11 stolen bases in 17 attempts this year.

The youngster may be grateful to get away from West Virginia's Appalachian Power Park -- this season he hit just .219/.297/.328 in 54 home games while posting a .306/.361/.505 line on the road.

Herrera departs the Power having collected hits in eight of his last nine games. West Virginia is tied with first-half champ Hagerstown atop the South Atlantic League's Northern Division. The Power have not reached the postseason since becoming a Pirates affiliate in 2009.