Adalberto Mejia 2017

[goulik]

Adalberto Mejía was born June 20th, 1993 in Bonao, Monsenor Nouel Province of the Dominican Republic. He signed as an International Free agent with the San Francisco Giants February 1st, 2011. My Math says he was 17 years old when he signed.

 

Mejia spent 2011 in the DSL but jumped all the way to Low A for 2012. He had a 2.13 ERA in the DSL with 71 K's to 8 BB's in 76 innings. He tossed 106 innings in Low A with 79 K's and 21 Walks. The 122 hits allowed is the most he has allowed at any level and resulted in a 4.81 ERA. That was still good enough for a promotion.

 

2013 was spent almost entirely at High A but he played well enough to make a one game appearance for Fresno in AAA going 5 innings and giving up just 2 runs before being sent off to the AFL for a few more games. He threw 87 innings with 89 K's and 29 walks for a 3.52 ERA in High A. Those strike outs must be what got the attention of the brass. Up to this point he was moving up fairly aggressively but he did not fair well in the AFL. He had an 8.47 ERA in 17 forgettable innings.

 

He followed that up with a less than stellar 2014. In AA he posted a 5.17 ERA in 108 innings. His K rate dropped to 6.8/9 innings earning him a repeat in level for 2015. In 2015, He was suspended for the first 50 days of the season for using a banned substance, Sibutrimine. He was therefore, only able to pitch in 51 innings in '15 but he made the best of it with a 2.45 ERA. He was still only striking out 6.7/9 but he dropped his hits/9 from 9.9 to 6.7. With so few innings, he as sent back to the AFL where he again faired better than last time. He pitched 31 innings striking out 26 and a 3.48 ERA.

 

2016 started with Mejia back in AA for a third season where he started 11 games, throwing 65 innings and striking out 58 for a 2.22 ERA before his promotion back to AAA. It had been 3 years since his first time in AAA. In 40.2 innings, he struck out 43 batters but allowed 42 hits leading to a 4.20 ERA in his first 7 games. On July 28, 2016, Mejía was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Eduardo Nunez. The Twins assigned him to the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA where he pitched 26.1 innings striking out 25 compared to just 3 walks. He allowed 28 hits and had a 3.76 ERA for the Red Wings.

 

The Twins promoted Mejía to the major leagues on August 20, 2016. He pitched 2.1 innings allowing 5 hits and a walk without getting his first MLB K. This year he earned his way onto the team in Spring Training and made his first MLB start this past week. He only pitched in 1.2 innings and allowed 3 runs, 2 earned before getting the hook. He had only allowed two hits and two walks but apparently Molitor saw enough for the day.

[goulik]

Mejia has made two appearances pitching 6 2/3 innings. He has allowed 4 runs, 3 earned for a 4.05 ERA. The opposing teams batting average Is a reasonable .250 but he has allowed 5 walks and 6 hits for a 1.65 WHIP, an opposing OPS of .845 and a short leash with Molitor. His next scheduled start is Wednesday.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Mejia's K's have gone done while his walks have gone up as he has progressed through the minors. He had a nice stint at AAA last summer after coming over in the trade, though. I'd much rather see him try to build on that than in the rotation.

 

I'd like to see Berrios up in his place ASAP. Wasn't the argument he needed to be stretched out after the WBC? Well...an 8 inning start later, let's go.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Even if Mejia's projection is a #4 starter we can appreciate some good starts from the guy. His last outing was very good. He gave the team a chance to win. If he can keep his WHIP down he will be effective.

 

And it remains to be seen if he can't be better than a #4.

[goulik]

While 6 strikeouts in 2.2 innings is a nice stat, 5 hits and 3 walks will get you sent down. From what I've seen, Mejia has some nasty stuff but needs to work on a few things as well. I believe he will be back.

[goulik]

Mejia made his first AAA start of the year going 7 innings without allowing a run. He gave up 2 hits, no walks and struck out 6.

[goulik]

WARNING, THE FOLLOWING POST WILL CONTAIN A PAUL MOLITOR GRIPE READ ON WITH CAUTION

 

Mejia has pitched 3 starts for AAA Rochester so far this year hurling 17.2 innings and holding a 4.08 ERA. He has allowed 8 runs and issued 3 walks while striking out 15. His K rate is 7.6.

 

We all see the ghastly MLB ERA and 8 runs allowed in 11.2 MLB innings which also contained 8 walks and two home runs but I'm annoyed at the short leash given to young pitching prospects. We saw how molitor yanked Berrios around. Mejia has made 4 MLB appearances and has allowed 8 Earned Runs. That is two runs per start... He has never been allowed to try to work through a jam. He has an MLB K rate North of 8 and his stuff is electric. Honestly, I want to see the front office do the same with Mejia as they promised to do with Berrios. Keep him down until they are ready to bring him up and keep him up.

 

Mejia has not spent a season at AAA yet so seasoning is a good idea. He now has 89.2 AAA innings with an 85/19 K/BB and an 8.5 K/9. His 4.01 AAA ERA won't excite anyone but I was really impressed with his stuff when I saw him with the big club. If he can get control and work out the kinks, the kid could be good. And when he does come up, he needs to go at least 90 pitches per outing or until he gives up 6 runs in an outing before getting the hook. He's gotta be given a chance to work through it when he comes back.

[yarnivek1972]

Mejia is currently listed on the "Temporary Inactive List".

 

Is that like a catch all for family emergency thing or is something else afoot?  Obviously someone had to be taken off the roster to make room for Tonkin and Tepesch, but I don't think the Twins have any intention of cutting Mejia.

[drjim]

WARNING, THE FOLLOWING POST WILL CONTAIN A PAUL MOLITOR GRIPE READ ON WITH CAUTION

 

Mejia has pitched 3 starts for AAA Rochester so far this year hurling 17.2 innings and holding a 4.08 ERA. He has allowed 8 runs and issued 3 walks while striking out 15. His K rate is 7.6.

 

We all see the ghastly MLB ERA and 8 runs allowed in 11.2 MLB innings which also contained 8 walks and two home runs but I'm annoyed at the short leash given to young pitching prospects. We saw how molitor yanked Berrios around. Mejia has made 4 MLB appearances and has allowed 8 Earned Runs. That is two runs per start... He has never been allowed to try to work through a jam. He has an MLB K rate North of 8 and his stuff is electric. Honestly, I want to see the front office do the same with Mejia as they promised to do with Berrios. Keep him down until they are ready to bring him up and keep him up.

 

Mejia has not spent a season at AAA yet so seasoning is a good idea. He now has 89.2 AAA innings with an 85/19 K/BB and an 8.5 K/9. His 4.01 AAA ERA won't excite anyone but I was really impressed with his stuff when I saw him with the big club. If he can get control and work out the kinks, the kid could be good. And when he does come up, he needs to go at least 90 pitches per outing or until he gives up 6 runs in an outing before getting the hook. He's gotta be given a chance to work through it when he comes back.

This isn't just Molitor's decision.

[goulik]

 

This isn't just Molitor's decision.

Pulling a starting pitcher after 2 innings and 2 runs IS Molitors decision. He has been doing this with Berrios last year and Mejia this year. The young guys are going to go through struggles. You have to let them fight through it.

 

On Thursday, Holland gave up 6 runs to the Twins in the first two innings. He pitched 5 innings and gave up 7 runs. I would rather see Mejia be put in that situation where he has to gut it out than be pulled after 2 innings and 2 runs. That is just ridiculous.

[goulik]

Over his last 3 starts Mejia has pitched 18 innings allowing 6 runs for a nice clean 3.00 ERA. He has dropped his WHIP from 2.04 to 1.5 and his OppBA from 297 to 265. Over those 18 innings, he has struck out 14 hitters while walking 6. His full season stats are not pretty (yet) but I think they will get there.

2017 Season:

WAR 0.2

W-L 1-1

ERA 3.95

Innings 27.1

Allowed 27 hits, 5 HR

4.6 BB/9

7.9 K/9

Opponents Slash 265/356/510 for an OPS of 866 against (297 BAbip against)

Average 4 Seam Fastball 93.19 MPH (Thats 1 MPH faster than average)

Average Spin Rate 2471 (League Avg is 2227)

Considering how poorly his year began, this is a nice recovery. With some time and coaching, I believe Mejia will have a nice career here behind Berrios and for the time being Sanatana. He is making a nice third pitcher but he will have more bumps in the road so be Patient TD faithful...

[goulik]

Mejia pitched all of 6 games, all starts for Rochester. He tossed 28.2 innings which is not what you are looking for in a prospect (Less than 5 innings average? ouch). He allowed 26 hits and 6 walks for a 1.12 WHIP and a .241 BAA. He finished the AAA season with a 1-1 record and a 2.83 ERA. Not included in these stats are his Sept. 9th playoff game for Chattanooga on a rehab assignment. He pitched 5 shut out innings allowing only 1 hit and no runs. He has yet to be recalled but I assume he will be at some point.

 

Mejia has completed his Minor League Season and with 88 innings of MLB ball under his belt, as far as I'm concerned, he is no longer a prospect so this is a Wrap!