Melky Mesa

Melquisedec Mesa

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut September 22, 2012
• Final Game July 31, 2013
• Born January 31, 1987 in Bajos de Haina, San Cristobal, D.R.

BR page

Biographical Information

Outfielder Melky Mesa reached the majors with the New York Yankees in 2012.

Signed by the Yankees in 2003, Mesa spent 2004 and 2005 playing in the Dominican Summer League. He hit a pitiful .146/.243/.279 with 67 strikeouts in 144 at-bats for the 2004 DSL Yankees then was just 7 for 23 with 3 walks, 2 doubles and 2 homers for the '05 DSL Yankees 1. He then came to the U.S. and played two seasons with the GCL Yankees, again following a weak first year (.207/.266/.345) with a stronger second one (.235/.293/.386, albeit with 55 K in 153 AB and 8 errors).

Moving on to the Staten Island Yankees in 2008, he led the club with 7 home runs but provided little other help; his batting line was .221/.252/.467 and he had just four walks in 46 games. He was then a South Atlantic League All-Star the following year with the Charleston RiverDogs, hitting .225/.309/.423 with 20 homers. His overall production was picking up as he also had 7 triples, 76 runs, 74 RBI and 18 steals (in 24 tries) as well as 19 outfield assists. He was tied for 4th in the SAL in home runs (with Kiel Roling, behind Brian Pellegrini, Derek Norris and Ryan Lavarnway) and 5th in runs. He was named the SAL utility All-Star outfielder, behind first-line outfielders Anthony Gose, Ronnie Welty and Scott Robinson. Baseball America said he was the fastest baserunner, best athlete and had the best outfield arm in the Yankee chain. They listed him as the league's #20 prospect.

Mesa remained a prospect with the Tampa Yankees in 2010, hitting .260/.338/.475 with 9 triples, 19 home runs, 31 stolen bases in 40 tries, 81 runs and 74 RBIs. He was among the Florida State League leaders in runs (5th), triples (3rd after Gose and Anthony Pirela), home runs (tied for second with Quincy Latimore, trailing Mike McDade), steals (6th), RBI (7th) and slugging (second to Stephen Vogt). He joined Erik Komatsu and Latimore as the FSL All-Star outfielders and was named the league Player of the Year. Among Yankee farmhands, he was tied for third in home runs (with Eric Bruntlett, behind Brandon Laird and Jesus Montero) and third in steals. Baseball America again listed him as the Yankees chain's best athlete and having the best outfield arm. They ranked him as the #19 FSL prospect, between Jhan Marinez and Andrew Brackman. New York added him to their 40-man roster.

He spent most of the next summer with the Trenton Thunder, posting a .251/.329/.404 batting line and clubbing 9 homers despite missing a month of the season with a back injury. He was caught stealing 13 times in 31 steal attempts, tying Adeiny Hechavarria for fifth in the Eastern League. He began 2012 back with Trenton, hitting .277/344/.464 with 14 home runs and 17 steals in 20 tries before being promoted to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in early August. He hit .230/.271/.524 with 9 homers in 33 games there and then earned a September call-up to New York. Overall, he had 23 home runs, 22 stolen bases (caught 4 times) and 79 runs for the minor league season. Among Yankee farmhands, he was third in runs (behind Tyler Austin and Ruben Flores), second in homers (two behind Luke Murton) and was 5th in steals.

He made his big league debut on September 22nd against the Oakland Athletics, pinch-running for Eric Chavez in the ninth inning. He made it to third base before being retired on a force at home hit into by Robinson Canó.

Notable Achievements

• 2010 Player of the Year Florida State League Tampa Yankees

Related Sites

• Melky Mesa on mlb.com