Skip to main content

Tommy John surgery just part of the game for prospect Mecias

Yoel Mecias, Image- Jay Floyd
As prevalent as reconstructive elbow surgery has become for baseball players, it just comes with the territory, if you ask Phillies lefty pitching prospect Yoel Mecias.

The Venezuela native was an All-Star last year for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws when the team hosted the South Atlantic League's annual showcase of its top players.

As a 19-year-old Mecias was impressive, posting a 4-3 record with a 3.79 ERA with 70 strike outs in 57 innings through 13 outings (11 starts) in 2013 for the 'Claws, prior to being sidelined with an elbow issue that resulted in Tommy John surgery.

As a rising prospect that had begun garnering plenty of attention throughout the Sally League, Mecias was disappointed to have his breakout campaign cut short, but he didn't let the negative feeling settle in too deeply.

"In the beginning the injury was hard on me, but I knew it was all mental. I just tried to take that away. For me, I just had to be patient and just work. It's part of the game," Mecias stated with the help of Lakewood hitting coach Lino Connell, who translated the youngster's thoughts.

Mecias returned to the mound, facing opposing batters in under a year when he made his season debut last month with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies. In four starts in the GCL, the six-foot-two 160-pounder sported a 0-1 record with a 4.76 ERA while striking out 10 and walking eight in 17 innings.

According to Mecias, the rehab process is in the past and he's working on getting the rest of his body back to where it was prior to the injury.

"I'm not concerned with the elbow anymore. I feel great. I'm just working hard to get 100-percent in shape overall," Mecias declared.

He's looked sharper since returning to Lakewood, tallying a 1-0 record while allowing a lone run, which was earned, on four hits in 10 innings of work while striking out eight and walking three.

The club's pitching coach, former big league hurler Les Lancaster, has been pleased with the output the resilient Mecias has put forth in two outings since joining the BlueClaws.

"He's just coming off the surgery and everything, but (he) looks good. He's getting stronger each time out," Lancaster said with a bit of pride in Mecias' progress.

The Phillies will watch Mecias, who was inked by Venezuelan scout Jesus Mendez in December, 2010, closely and have mandated per-outing caps on his activity, in order to be cautious with his workload.

"He's gonna go five innings or 80 pitches, which ever one comes first. Last time was five (innings)/80 (pitches), the second time was five (innings)/68 (pitches), so he's done a good job," Lancaster stated.

Phillies fans looking for a bright spot within the system of late should look no farther than Mecias' recent progress.

Ranked highly among Phillies prospects, the athletic looking Mecias throws a fastball that was regularly clocked in the low-90's prior to the injury and a plus change up. He continues to work on his breaking pitch, a slider, which needs some improvement according to coaches.

With things now on the right path for Mecias, he's ready to help the BlueClaws down the stretch for the remainder of the season and has already been prepared for what's next.

"They already told me that I'll go to instructs, so be ready to pitch more after the season," Mecias asserted.

Mecias also said he would possibly pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League if the Phillies allow it, but that may not be likely. A full off-season of rest should be on the agenda for the promising young pitcher before he becomes he buzz of the organization next year.

Comments

-OBC said…
can't wait to see this guy pitch.

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes