Rafael Mena

Rafael Ernesto Mena Martinez

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 179 lb.

• Born April 21, 2001

Biographical Information

Rafael Mena has pitched for the Salvadoran national team.

In the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games Central American Qualifier, he made one appearance. Relieving David Jimenez in the 5th with the bases loaded, no outs and a 3-0 deficit against Nicaragua, he got Norlando Valle to hit into a force but an error on the play scored two runs. Willie Vásquez flew out and he then whiffed former major leaguer Cheslor Cuthbert to escape further harm. In the 6th, his defense again let him down as Melvin Novoa and Sandy Bermudez hit into errors sandwiched around a Dwight Britton grounder. He would have escaped with two shutout innings had his defense done their duties. He hit Elmer Reyes, struck out Iván Marín and then yielded a three-run double to Isaac Benard. Two wild pitches let Benard come home, then Juan Montes struck out. Mario Velasco then succeeded him.

He pitched twice in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games. He closed out a 12-4 loss to Curaçao, relieving Velasco and retiring Shean Michel. He also closed out a 4-0 loss to Gold Medal winner Mexico, succeeding Wilfredo Ramirez and allowing a single to Emmanuel Ávila before settling down to getting Fernando Flores, Randy Romero and Edson García in order. He was 1/3 of an inning shy of Jhonny Bautista and Jimenez for having the most innings of a Salvadoran pitcher with a 0.00 ERA.