After logging a single inning on the mound at Triple-A in 2024, Mejia really began his pitching journey this past season. He opened the year in Single-A and recorded an impressive strikeout rate of 33.3% over 12 innings. Mejia earned a pair of saves and a win with Fredericksburg. He advanced to Double-A and posted a 2.33 ERA over 24 appearances. Mejia’s strikeouts decreased while his walk rate increased to 18.6%, but he limited hitters to a .174 batting average. In August, he found himself back in Rochester, although he was knocked around for 12 earned runs in 10 innings. Mejia’s walk rate remained a bloated 18%.
Seattle signed Mejia as an international free agent in 2012. He was clearly still a shortstop at the time. Mejia rose through the Mariners system with a strong hitting profile and some speed. He was dealt to the Dodgers in January 2016 Joe Wieland. Mejia increased his base stealing with the Dodgers, but only reached Triple-A for one game. In January 2018, he was dealt again, this time to Kansas City in a three-team trade headlined by the trade Joakim Soria. Mejia made his debut with the Royals in 2019. He went 5-for-22 over nine games. Mejia got another brief opportunity with the big league club during the shortened 2020 season and went 1-for-14 in eight games.
After a season at Triple-A with Seattle in 2022, Mejia landed with the Nationals. He struggled mightily at the plate in two seasons at Triple-A with the organization. A 61 wRC+ in 66 games with the Red Wings in 2024 prompted the position change. Given Mejia’s intriguing strikeout numbers in the minors, along with Washington’s current trajectory, it’s not inconceivable that he could find himself on a big-league mound in 2026.
Photo courtesy of Jim Rassol, Imagn Images
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