The Brewers have agreed to a minor league contract with free agent catcher Francisco Mejia, stories Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. The 28-year-old switch-hitter hung out with the Angels and Rays throughout spring coaching however was launched by Tampa Bay final week. He’ll head to Triple-A Nashville and add some depth whereas prime catching prospect Jeferson Quero is injured.
Mejia was as soon as not simply one of many recreation’s prime catching prospects however one of many top-ranked prospects in your complete sport, no matter place. He peaked at No. 20 on Baseball America’s top-100 checklist and No. 11 at MLB.com heading into the 2018 season. He was on the verge of becoming a member of the Brewers means again in 2016 earlier than then-Milwaukee catcher Jonathan Lucroy used his no-trade clause to veto a commerce to Cleveland. (Lucroy defined his rationale for that call not lengthy after the actual fact.) The Brewers wound up buying and selling Lucroy to the Rangers as a substitute. Mejia additionally wound up on the transfer, going to the Padres in a deal for Brad Hand.
Regardless of his outstanding placement on nationwide prospect rankings, Mejia has but to hit a lot within the massive leagues whereas racking up greater than 5 years of massive league service between Cleveland, San Diego and Tampa Bay. In simply shy of 1100 journeys to the plate, he’s a .239/.284/.394 hitter. He’s been much better in Triple-A, the place he touts a really robust .306/.350/.519 batting line in 633 plate appearances.
Past his struggles at the plate, Mejia has additionally had a tough time behind the dish. He’s lengthy posted sub-par framing quantity, and his throwing took a serious hit in 2023, when he thwarted simply 4 of the 42 runners who tried to steal towards him. Statcast additionally ranks him as one of many least-effective catchers within the recreation in relation to blocking balls within the dust.
Clearly, issues haven’t panned out as hoped for the as soon as ballyhooed younger catcher. However he’s nonetheless simply 28 and has proven little downside dealing with Triple-A pitching. The Brewers don’t have a right away want behind the dish, with William Contreras and Gary Sanchez on the large league roster and the just lately outrighted Eric Haase probably forward of Mejia on the depth chart down in Triple-A as nicely. Mejia affords a relative veteran to assist share that workload with Haase, and within the occasion of a number of catcher accidents he’s a wonderful third or fourth choice for the group handy.