Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ARI | RHP | 28 | 40 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SL | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40 | 50 | 55 | 40 | 45 | 55/50 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Robert James
Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 235 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2013 IFA
RuleV: On 40-Man
Physical Description: Mejia is a big boy. He's got ideal height for a SP but his body isn't great, he's a bit heavy and will probably need to lose some weight as he ages into his mid to late 20's. Does not look to have any physical projection left, he's in his "man" body now
Delivery & Mechanics: Traditional 3/4 arm slot. Nice, easy delivery. Moderate leg kick. Mejia starts his delivery nice and easy and then whips his arm through as he delivers the pitch. The arm speed is very good. Mejia can repeat his delivery but he is not particularly athletic.
Fastball: Average pitch. Averaged 92.8 during his big league debut, touching 95. Perceived velocity a bit higher due to good extension. It’s a traditional four-seamer and he moves it around the zone. Pitch has minimal run, and he works it well up in the zone. Will also throw it down in the zone and has enough confidence to work it on both sides of the plate. Grade: 50
Curveball: Pitch averaged 78.7 in 2020. Pleasing 12-to-6 break. Maintains arm speed very well. Tight break, lacks traditional depth normally associated with big 12-to-6 breakers. Will land it in the zone for a strike in any situation. Grade: 55
Slider: His fourth best pitch. Throws it in the mid-80's, usually around 84mph. Does not have good tilt or movement. More of a tight one plane break. It's a pretty flat pitch as of now, although he uses it as more than a "show me" offering. Needs to either be tightened up or dropped entirely. Grade: 40
Changeup: Mejia's changeup is decent but is not quite there. He throws it around 85-86 so even with his lack of fastball velocity there's decent velo separation between the two. He maintains his arm speed well but the pitch does not have the really sharp tumble and fade that's needed. Grade: 45
Control and Command: For someone without great athleticism, Mejia's control and command are better than expected. Although he had a high BB rate in his short MLB audition this year (11 IP) he didn't walk many hitters in the minors at all. I'm probably a half grade too high on each but I think it's above average control and average command. Control: 55 | Command: 50
Overall: So, Mejia is someone I came across in the low minors in 2019 and was really a deep sleeper. I saw him in low-A last year and was very excited because all the tools were there for a mid-rotation SP, however, the problem was that Mejia was already 22 and further along in his physical development than a traditional IFA prospect at that level. Due to his age, Miami added him to the 40-man before last season and he made three starts in the shortened season this year despite topping out in High-A in 2019. If Mejia were not so far along in his physical development he'd be one of the top prospects in the system but at this point, with no more velocity on the way, he is what he is. With some small improvements Mejia can become a backend SP but and I think that will in fact, happen, however, there's a chance he's more of an up and down spot starter. It's an MLB profile.
OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Spot Starter/Long Relief
Risk: Low
