Skip to main content

Prospect Nation 2014: #15 LHP Yoel Mecias

By
Yoel Mecias, Image- Tug Haines
Despite having his 2013 campaign shortened due to a severe elbow injury, Venezuelan born hurler Yoel Mecias made a name for himself as a notable prospect in the Phillies system last year. The lefty, who turned 20 years old this off-season, underwent Tommy John surgery in June after an impressive stint with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws.

Signed as an amateur free agent in December 2010, Mecias made his pro debut with the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012, tallying a 0-2 record with two saves and a 2.16 ERA in 14 games (four starts). In his 10 relief outings, Mecias sported a 1.90 ERA. Overall, he struck out 34 batters and walked 11 in 41 2/3 innings that year after some time in extended spring training.

Mecias also made an appearance for Aragua of the Venezuelan Winter League in 2012 as well.

In 13 games (11 starts) with Lakewood last season, Mecias posted a 4-3 record and a 3.79 ERA along with an 11.05 K/9 mark. His efforts were enough to gain him recognition as a South Atlantic League All-Star. He was also honored as the Phillies' minor league pitcher of the month in May when he posted a 3-1 record and a 1.50 ERA over six starts.

With an eye on his pitch count, Mecias was permitted to pitch longer than five innings just twice last year. The cautious approach didn't have great results, of course, as the youngster experienced trouble with his elbow and required reconstructive surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament.

Equipped with a fastball that ranges in the high 80's to low 90's and an already Major League ready change up, Mecias will look to upgrade his breaking pitch, a slider, that will need some improvement as he climbs the developmental ladder.

At six-foot-two and 160 pounds, Mecias possesses a small frame. He projects to fill out a bit and add muscle, which would increase is stamina along with his velocity.

It's possible Mecias ends up as a reliever in the long run, but organizational coaches view him as a big league starter in the future. His progress will certainly determine what his role will be.

Mecias is going to spend much of this coming season rehabbing his throwing elbow but could possibly be on the mound by mid-summer. Former Phillies prospect Carlos Carrasco underwent Tommy John surgery and returned to game action in under a year when he appeared in rehab games with Double-A Akron in the Eastern League playoffs in September 2012.

When Mecias is ready to appear in official games it'll likely be for the GCL team, so he can pitch under the watchful eyes of Phils trainers in Clearwater, but a return to Lakewood could be on tap for this year as well, once he's 100 percent, if his recovery goes well.

Click here to view the running list of this year's countdown.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #4 OF Mickey Moniak

By
Mickey Moniak, image- Joe Wombough Taken with the top overall selection in last year's MLB amateur draft, outfielder Mickey Moniak has garnered a lot of attention as a highly promising talent in the Phillies' developmental ranks. After signing out of La Costa Canyon High School for a reported $6.1 million, the lefty batting Moniak had a very good professional debut. In 46 games with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League team, Moniak posted a .284 batting average with 11 doubles, four triples, a home run and 28 RBI.  Additionally, he showed some speed, swiping 10 bases in 14 opportunities. Following the regular season, Moniak participated in the Florida Instructional League and spent time at the Phillies' training facility in Clearwater, where he worked to add strength and muscle to his six-foot-two 185-pound frame. At the plate, Moniak, who was committed to play at UCLA prior to the 2016 draft, makes steady, hard contact.  He is touted as a line drive hitter tha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chris Truby Speaks on Santana & Other BlueClaws Matters

By
On Monday, it was announced that the Astros selected outfielder Domingo Santana as the player to be named later in the late July trade that sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies. Santana, a Dominican born slugger, posted a .269 average with 7 HR and 32 RBI in 96 games with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. The 19-year-old is regarded as a five tool talent and has been ranked among the Phillies' top ten prospects by multiple national outlets. I had the opportunity to speak with Lakewood manager Chris Truby about Santana, the PTBNL list of five Phillies prospects that the Astros had to choose from, as well as other matters pertaining to the BlueClaws, as they enter the final few weeks of their regular season. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview. ______________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE .
Post a Comment
Read more

Catching prospect O'Hoppe tabbed to join Phillies

By
Logan O'Hoppe, image- Jay Floyd Please consider supporting my work and via my Patreon page .  For a small monthly fee, your patronage will get you exclusive interviews and other prospect related material as well as early access to all of my other content such as this feature.  Thank you.   On Friday, the Phillies added a pair of catchers to their 2020 player pool.  Minor leaguers Logan O'Hoppe (pronounced Oh-HOP-ee) and Henri Lartigue arrived in Philadelphia to help catch bullpen sessions for the team's collection of approximately 30 pitchers. The call to O'Hoppe was extremely welcome as the 20-year-old had been staying as active as he possibly could, working out with other players that have been been waiting out quarantine due to the current pandemic at his home on Long Island.  However, he had been very eager to step back onto an actual baseball field. "I just hope I can play soon.  Where ever that is or whatever form that is, that'd be aw...
1 comment
Read more