Panini America: Wilmer Flores autographs shipping soon

The wait is over for those collectors holding redemption cards for Wilmer Flores autographs.

The New York Mets’ 17-year-old shortstop prospect has returned his signatures and those redemptions should begin being fulfilled soon by Panini America. Redemptions for Flores signatures were inserted into four 2008 Donruss products — Threads, Elite Extra Edition, Americana Sports Legends and Contenders.

“This is  definitely a big one for everyone,” Panini America brand manager Mike Payne said. “Our acquisitions team deserves a lot of credit for staying on top of this and for their continued pursuit of the signatures, even after Flores left the country after last season and after he had changed agents during the off-season.”

Flores, ranked the No. 2 prospect in the New York Mets organization by Baseball America before the 2009 season began, will represent the World Team in the 2009 Futures Game.

Last season, his first as a professional, Flores batted .307 with eight home runs and 42 RBI in 280 at-bats combined between three minor league teams. Through June 25 of this season, he was batting .273-2-18 with 11 doubles at Class A Savannah of the South Atlantic League.