Erick Mejia is starting a new chapter in his 13-year career, as the longtime infielder is working out as a pitcher in the Nationals’ spring camp. The Washington Post’s Andrew Golden writes that Mejia’s latest step was a 25-pitch live batting practice session against minor league hitters, and none of Mejia’s pitches were put into play.
Mejia’s MLB resume consists of 17 games with the Royals over the 2019-20 seasons. The rest of his lengthy career has been spent in the farm systems of Mariners, Dodgers, Royals, and Nationals, and Mejia has hit .264/.333/.387 over 3998 career plate appearances in the minors.
Washington signed Mejia to a minor league deal in December 2022, and his two seasons in the Nats’ system didn’t lead to another trip back to the Show. He did toss an inning of mop-up work in a blowout of Triple-A game last season, which led to a follow-up bullpen session that saw Mejia throw off a mound (while wearing sneakers) and hit 96mph on the radar gun. This got the attention of Nationals coaches and officials, and Mejia agreed last September to try giving pitching a proper try as a new career path.
Golden notes that Mejia has a ton of vertical break on his four-seam fastball, and that pitch has also hit the 98mph threshold in subsequent throwing sessions. “The number one thing he has is the ability to throw the ball very good and to throw it over the plate. The other stuff, we can work on it,” Triple-A Rochester pitching coach Rafael Chaves said, describing how Mejia is understandably still raw at the normal mechanics and routine processes that come with pitching.
It remains to be seen if this transition will remain just an experiment, or if Mejia can get into minor league games and try to prove himself as a pitcher. Now 30 years old, Mejia put the situation plainly, saying “if I need to try something different to keep going, I will do it.” There’s no downside for the veteran to see if he can translate his arm strength and natural velocity into a pitching career, and it makes Mejia an interesting subplot of the Nationals’ camp.
Hmmm! A triple-threat relief pitcher.? A 30-year old pitcher with no wear and tear on his arm….and who also could pinch hit or play an infield spot on an off-night from pitching. It would be fun if this turned into something.
you know TJS is lurking around the corner, happened to Anthony Gose
“The number one thing he has is the ability to throw the ball very good and to throw it over the plate. The other stuff, we can work on it,”
There’s other stuff? Huh.
Whatever keeps the dream going/alive. Hope the best for him
Good for him keeping the dream alive
He’s only 30, in spite of his being in baseball for so long. Let’s see if he can pull this off. Best to him.
Thanks Eeyore.
I agree, interesting story to follow, 98 is a nice heater.
It raises a fundamental question: How many position players throughout baseball history had elite, untapped pitching talent but were never developed properly?
All of them.
@Ally McBeal… Pepperoni Pizza Ashton Kutcher”
Ted Williams wasn’t that great. He was cooked as a pitcher.
He was never developed properly.
@Ally McBeal… Pepperoni Pizza Ashton Kutcher
How do you know All of them?
Is AllyMcBeal… Pepperoni Pizza Ashton Kutcher really what that translates to?
@frankiegxiii
Yes, sir.
I watched Skip Schumacher pitch in a mop up role for St. Louis, and he surprised everyone when he hit 90 mph with his first pitch.
Unfortunately, he pitched like a solid infielder throws – hard but straight.
(“That’s what she said!”)
@wanderslust
She might say that but as long as it does the job, can’t worry too much.
The way I see it is he has a very good fast ball with movement. He just needs a second pitch.
Hope he does good. U seem like a d!ck
You must have a damn sad life. Seek help buddy.
Tyler Naquin, now Mejia. I guess if you can no longer catch up to the fastball you try throwing one instead
Take ur time. Still a fresh arm at age 30. Relief Pitchers with fresh arms can work till age 40.
Best of luck to him. Nice story