Prospect Nation 2015: #10 LHP Yoel Mecias

Yoel Mecias, image- Jay Floyd

After missing about a full year of action, pitcher Yoel Mecias returned to the mound by mid-season last year and proved why he's been a highly regarded hurler in the Phillies system.

After he was recognized as a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2013 with the Class A BlueClaws, it was determined that the left-hander would require reconstructive surgery to repair the damaged UCL in his throwing arm. That season in 13 games (11 starts), Mecias tallied a 4-3 record with a 3.79 ERA, a .244 batting average against and an 11.05 K/9 mark.

That campaign followed his 2012 season in which he made his professional debut with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2012, tallying a 0-2 record with two saves and a 2.16 ERA in 14 games (four starts).

Following the Tommy John surgery, Mecias returned to game action last June, when he posted a 0-1 record with a 4.76 ERA while striking out 10 and walking eight in 17 innings.

A promotion back to Lakewood was in order when a spot in their rotation opened up in July and Mecias looked durable, going 3-3 with a 3.21 ERA in seven starts. He struck out 23 and walked nine in 33 2/3 innings.

The Phillies were pleased with the manner in which Mecias returned from the critical injury, according to Phils director of player development Joe Jordan. The Venezuela native needed reps and was able to throw strikes and got most of his velocity back quickly.

Mecias told me during the season that he thinks the downtime he spent dealing with the injury will help him in the long run, as he was able to study the game more and develop the mental toughness he'll need to be a commanding force on the mound.

The 21-year-old is equipped with a fastball that peaks in the low 90's, a change up described as "Major League ready" as well as a slider that coaches say needs improvement. Control is also a major plus for Mecias, who has a career walk rate of 8.5% and doesn't have difficulty locating his pitches. The way he attacks hitters and gets himself ahead in counts also stands out.

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

It is possible Mecias could become a reliever in the long run, but the organization views him as a big league starter in the future. His progress will certainly determine what his role will be.

Look for Mecias to be part of the starting rotation for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers when the 2015 season gets rolling.

To follow along with this year's full countdown, click HERE.

Comments

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

Drabek Preparing For Next Step

The transition has been easy for Kyle Drabek. In December, he was part of a package of young prospects that was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for ace pitcher Roy Halladay. Now, as though nothing has changed, he's right back where he was last season...the star prospect on the pitching staff of a team in the Double A Eastern League. Drabek has often stated that he wanted to stay in the Philadelphia organization, who drafted him in the first round of the 2006 amateur draft. The 22-year-old thought after the midseason trade rumors, that surrounded him possibly going to Toronto last year, passed with no action that all the turmoil was over and that he could simply relax and focus on getting to the big leagues with the Phillies. That wasn't the case, as the deal eventually came to fruition over the off-season. In the Blue Jays system this season, Drabek doesn't have to worry about being dealt. He only has to concern himself with opposing batters and working on his secondary pit...

Rappers in Phillies Caps

Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog