The Miami Marlins have reportedly agreed to contracts with Cuban Prospects Victor Victor Mesa and Victor Mesa Jr. The Mesa brothers were recently declared free Agents by Major League Baseball after defecting from Cuba to pursue Major League careers. Victor Victor Mesa is a 22-year-old outfielder who is expected to sign for more than $5 million while Victor Mesa Jr. a 17-year-old outfielder is expected to sign for more than $1 million. However, the fact that these players signed doesn’t mean much if you do not know who they are… so who are the Mesa brothers?
Marlins have press conference Monday, presumably to announce signings of Victor Victor Mesa and also just one Victor Mesa. Nuevo Herald 1st.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 20, 2018
The Mesa brothers are the sons of Victor Mesa Sr., a Cuban star in his own right that graced the diamond for two decades. Mesa Sr. was a star center fielder for the Cuban National Team and in the Cuban baseball league he lead the league in steals 14 times. His retirement has also been very successful as a manager in Mexico and Cuba as well as the manager for Cuba in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics.
Victor Victor Mesa is an outfielder who is considered to be the league’s top international prospect according to Major League Baseball. Victor Victor is the older of the two brothers and he is considered a strong defender and baserunner. As for his hitting, he has not fully developed into a major power threat, however, he did hit .275 with 10 home runs and 74 stolen bases over 312 games during his six years in the Cuban National Series.
Victor Mesa Jr. is also a switch-hitting outfielder and the younger of the two brothers is considered to be a long-term development project for the Marlins. The younger Mesa Jr. was a star for the 18u Cuban National team. The Marlins are not viewing Mesa Jr. as an immediate impact for their system, rather someone they can groom over some time in the minor leagues and prepare them to slide into their outfield as time passes and Mesa Jr. develops, potentially pairing him alongside his brother one day.
The Marlins and part owner Derek Jeter are going to introduce the Mesa brothers Monday, October 22nd in a press conference that will better detail the exact contract and roles for the brothers. For the Marlins, this is a huge upgrade to their minor league system since they are in a rebuild and have dealt pretty much any of their veterans with the value. Deciding to trade Justin Bour to Philadelphia Phillies earlier this past season essentially stripped the Marlins of any notable position player.
