Aderlin Mejia - 2014

[Shane Wahl]

Name: Aderlin Mejia

Position: SS/IF

Hand: Switch

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 170

DOB: May 12, 1992

POB: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Shane's prospect ranking: 30

2014 start: New Britain

 

2013 statistics (Fort Myers): 328 plate appearances, .308/.359/.349 (.708), 10 doubles, 1 triple, 0 homers, 14 steals, 10 times caught stealing, 26 walks, 30 strikeouts, .973 fielding % at SS.

 

Mejia played 50 games at SS, 13 at 2B, 8 in LF, 1 at 3B, and 1 in RF in 2013.

 

Mejia is a great story. In August 2012, he wrapped up his GCL season and stuck around Fort Myers. When the Miracle needed a player the end of 2012, Mejia was the right guy in the right place. He then stuck on after EST in Fort Myers last year and performed very well until tiring at the end of the season. Now, it is 2014 and Mejia will get his first real full season of pro ball in AA, of all places.

 

It seems that Mejia is pretty skilled defensively. He is also a slap hitter with very good plate discipline. Currently, there is no slugging occurring, though he did show doubles power early in 2012. His story is pretty unusual and it will be interesting to see how this season plays out. If he holds his own at AA at 22, the Twins may have another mid-tier prospect in the middle infield, and one who appears to be able to play SS well.

[Shane Wahl]

After posting a .645 OPS in New Britain, the Twins sent Mejia back down to Fort Myers. He has played just one game there, collecting a couple hits. It will be important for him to improve upon his A+ ball numbers from last year to force a return to AA eventually this season.

[Dman]

Mejia is going to be good with the bat the only question is power for him. He seems pretty tiny so I don't know if he will ever develop power and that will make it tough for him to beat out other prospects. I thought the main reason he got sent down was because of Nunez but I could be wrong.

[Shane Wahl]

.857 OPS back in Fort Myers (61 plate appearances). Dman's concern is relevant here as Mejia has a .440 SLG there now, with 3 doubles and a homer! He has maintained that great BB/K ratio, but his isolated discipline has jumped to .97 from a career .66. Mejia is a very interesting player to watch this year since he came out of nowhere a year ago. A belated 22nd birthday to him!

[Shane Wahl]

.709 OPS now, after a .708 OPS at FTM last year. Still with more walks than strikeouts. Iso discipline and power up. I would like to see him at SS in AA again.

[Shane Wahl]

.266/.358/.345 (.703) in 165 plate appearances at Fort Myers. 18 walks and 15 strikeouts, so he is maintaining his plate discipline. A little more pop still needed.

[Shane Wahl]

.670 OPS at Fort Myers for the year, though he just is coming back from injury (and his performance may have suffered before going on the DL).

[Shane Wahl]

.669 OPS in 266 plate appearances at Fort Myers. Mejia is still holding his own and walking more than he is striking out. He also has 14 steals on the year. Mejia seems to be due for advancement at the start of 2015 to New Britain to play some kind of utility role.

[Shane Wahl]

Mejia is batting .378 in his last 10 games. He has 16 stolen bases and a 36/34 BB/K ratio in Fort Myers.

[Shane Wahl]

^{2014 final stats for Aderlin Mejia, split between New Britain and Fort Myers (in that order):}

 

^{468 plate appearances, .273/.360/.318, 15 doubles, zero triples, and one homer, 54 walks, 52 strikeouts, 25 steals, and 7 times caught stealing.}

^{Mejia played all four infield positions this year, but profiles as a middle infielder in the long run. He is obviously a slap hitter with speed, but he does add excellent plate discipline and above average defense. I do like his potential and his age 23 season (hopefully starting at AA Chatanooga) should be interesting with regard to Aderlin's ability to hit for some power . ..  or not. If not, his career is in trouble.} 

[jokin]

^{2014 final stats for Aderlin Mejia, split between New Britain and Fort Myers (in that order):}

 

^{468 plate appearances, .273/.360/.318, 15 doubles, zero triples, and one homer, 54 walks, 52 strikeouts, 25 steals, and 7 times caught stealing.}

^{Mejia played all four infield positions this year, but profiles as a middle infielder in the long run. He is obviously a slap hitter with speed, but he does add excellent plate discipline and above average defense. I do like his potential and his age 23 season (hopefully starting at AA Chatanooga) should be interesting with regard to Aderlin's ability to hit for some power . ..  or not. If not, his career is in trouble.} 

 

In trouble? His career to this point looks very similar to Lil' Nicky Punto at the same age, and Punto has carved out a 14-year MLB career.

[big dog]

In trouble? His career to this point looks very similar to Lil' Nicky Punto at the same age, and Punto has carved out a 14-year MLB career.

And 5 post-season appearances with 4 different teams.  Major league player or good luck charm?  Either way it's paying the bills.