Highlights
- Signed by the Atlanta Braves as a minor-league free agent in 2010.
- 2012 International League Rookie of the Year.
- Set Gwinnett Braves single-season record for home runs with 28 in 2013.
- Led International League in RBIs in back-to-back seasons.
Ernesto Mejia claimed that he didn’t feel stuck in place. But like a lot of minor-league veterans, he was.
Mejia is the record-setting first baseman for the Gwinnett Braves whom the franchise released on Saturday so he can join a Japanese club. He has put together back-to-back stellar seasons, leading the International League in RBIs and setting a Gwinnett single-season record with 28 home runs in 2013. But he hasn’t got his shot at the next level and just watched the younger player in front of him, Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, sign a big-money, eight-year contract with the parent club.
“I don’t know why I haven’t gotten my shot,” said Mejia, a native of Venezuela who signed his first professional contract when he was 16. “But I don’t feel stuck. I know I have a lot of talent and work hard. I just happen to be behind a great first baseman and a team with so much talent that I can’t even get a spot on the bench. It’s baseball. You never know what’s going to happen.”
In his 12th season of professional baseball, Mejia, 28, is past the prospect stage of his career. As a right-handed power hitter, though, the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder is in his prime. He has hit more than half of his career home runs in the past three seasons and is at it again this year. As the weekend began, Mejia was second in the league in hits, home runs, total bases and slugging, and was the league-leader in RBIs with 23. He was riding a 12-game hitting streak. He has established himself as a dominant player at the Triple-A level. But, at this point, there’s just nowhere for him to go. Except to the Seibu Lions in Japan sometime within a week.
Freeman is 24 and locked into the Braves’ long-term plans. An American League team in need of some pop at first base or DH would be the ideal situation and a brief stay in Japan might help accomplish that.
Mejia says the entire Braves’ organization has been supportive of his situation, telling him to be ready when his chance comes. He admits wanting to go back in time to use some of his veteran knowledge earlier in his career. In the meantime, he tries not to think about it and “let his bosses make the decisions.”
“They know what I can and cannot do,” said Mejia. “Of course, my goal is to play in the Bigs. I haven’t done that yet. But it’s still my dream.”
