Ernesto Mejia had a record setting year for Mississippi in 2011.
Ernesto Mejia had the best season of his career in 2011, setting single season records for AA Mississippi in hits (148), homers (26), and RBI (99), while hitting .297 with a .906 OPS and 37 doubles in 573 plate appearances. He kept on hitting for Aguilas de Zulia in the Venezuelan Winter League, with a .282 average, .887 OPS, 20 doubles, 10 homers, and 49 RBI in 227 at bats.
The Braves originally signed Mejia out of his native Venezuela and he began his career as an outfielder before his massive size and bulk, listed at 6'5", 245 pounds, forced the team to move him to first base. He had a great year as a 22 year old for High A Myrtle Beach in 2008, hitting .274 with a .829 OPS, 47 doubles, 21 homers, and 93 RBI, but a severe knee injury limited him to just 36 games in 2009. After that season he left the organization, signing a Minor League contract with the Kansas City Royals, splitting 2010 between High A and AA, hitting .276 with a .805 OPS, 31 doubles, 16 homers, and 69 RBI in 481 plate appearances. The Braves brought him back on a Minor League contract prior to the 2011 season, and have now done the same for the 2012 season, this time with a Non Roster invitation to Spring Training to boot.
Now 26 years old, Mejia is a formidable, experienced slugger, though he's never played above AA. That should change this year, as he's penciled in to be AAA Gwinnett's first baseman. His invitation to Major League Spring Training is more of a reward for his 2011 season than an indication that he has any chance to make Atlanta's roster, though a strong showing could put him in line for a call up should injuries strike. Defensively, he's limited to first base, and on his best days he's only an average defender. At the plate, he's something of a boom or bust hitter, prone to the extra base hit or the strikeout, and for all his skill, he' not that adept at talking walks, walking in just 10% of his plate appearances last year and just 7% for his career. If given a chance, Mejia could be a useful power bat off Atlanta's bench, and occasional starter at first base against tough lefties, though his defensive limitations make it unlikely he'll be given that chance.
0 recs | 15 comments
Gwinnett 1B
What about Mauro Gomez?
bravebee - January 12, 2012
Sounds like Canazares 2.0, maybe with a bit more D.
king of games - January 12, 2012
If I'm not mistaken, Cuban B was much older in his career path
And as I check, Canizares started his professional career at 26, the same age Mejia is now. Although, Barbara did spend the vast majority of that season in AA.
Mr. Sanchez - January 12, 2012
OBP
He hits .297 with a OBP of .375? Patience seems good to me. His strikeouts are scary though.
achilleswrath - January 12, 2012
He had 58 walks last year, which was a career high for sure. At his age and with his stats to date I’d be wary of concluding that he’s finally learned patience. I find it a lot more likely that he simply walked more because he just tore up the league and was more confident and maybe more willing to wait for a pitch as a result. I bet his walks will go back down in AAA.
Zontar - January 12, 2012
Why not at least try to make a LF out of him since he’d be blocked at 1B. Then again, he shouldn’t block Terdo if he moves to LF (if the 3B experiment fails)
Broccoman - January 12, 2012
Because he can barely move enough to play 1B. He was moved to 1B from the OF when he was 20 because of how immobile he was. He hasn’t gotten more athletic with age.
cbwilk - January 12, 2012
I must admit, I thought about the left field angle as well. Put him there in games where Prado is filling in for Chipper. Usually that’s a role for Diaz or Hinske depending on whether it’s a righty or lefty opponent isn’t it? Is he really less mobile than those guys? I just like what I see with Mejia’s stick. It looks promising, still realizing that the guy hasn’t graced the doors of AAA yet.
adc62 - January 13, 2012
Seriously? I don’t get why everyone tries to create something out of nothing. If the guy could play the outfield he would have stayed there years ago. He’s a huge, bulking guy who’s immobile and not very agile, and he’s a couple years removed from a major knee injury. The only way he’s spending time in left field is shagging balls in batting practice.
cbwilk - January 13, 2012
So, I guess in a round about way
You’re saying that he is less mobile than the defense we already have in left as far as Diaz & Hinske subbing Prado and that any gain we may get from a possible promising bat would be negated by runs lost due to Mejia’s inadequate defense. Fair enough. Thanks for the reply and the comment. Seriously.
adc62 - January 13, 2012
You must admit though cb, for some of us...
Doesn’t sound any different that FUGA, who started 123 games there a while back. And aside from the major injury, similar to the formerly lusted over for LF, Adam Dunn.
Mr. Sanchez - January 13, 2012
And this isn't me trying to contradict you
because I agree with you on the subject. Simply saying if you are wondering why some Braves fans think players that move like stone statues are options for LF, see Garrett Anderson and Adam Dunn, or even Chipper who wasn’t all that rangy in his time in LF.
Mr. Sanchez - January 13, 2012
And all those guys would look like gazelles out there compared to Ernie.
cbwilk - January 13, 2012
Wow
ouch.
Mr. Sanchez - January 13, 2012
I’m gonna have to visit Cool Ray more this year. Being a Braves fan living in Duluth and only having been there once, I’m a little ashamed of myself. Seems like some exciting players will be coming through this year.
michaeldlee1480 - January 13, 2012
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