Victor Victor

Mesa

The 26-year-old outfielder — who the Marlins signed for $5.25 million in 2018 — reportedly had disagreements with the coaching staff of the Jumbo Shrimp and abandoned the team. The Marlins placed him on the minor league restricted list and he’s not expected to return. On the season, Mesa had been hitting just .206/.270/.294 with one homer and five RBI in 37 plate appearances.

Mesa now has two steals over his first five games in the Florida State League. The signing out of Cuba’s best tool is his plus-plus speed, and it helps him on the bases and in the outfield. He’s also got a chance to hit for average, and the steals should make up for below-average power. Mesa should move quickly through the Miami system because of his defense and advanced skill set, but he’s unlikely to be a fantasy star. That doesn’t mean he can’t help, however.

Mesa missed most of spring training after suffering a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring in late February, but he should be ready to start the season with High-A Jupiter. The 22-year-old was signed out of Cuba last October, along with his teenage brother Victor Mesa Jr.

Mesa suffered the injury during Sunday’s Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He’ll be reassigned to minor league rehab as he makes his way back from the injury. Mesa was a high-profile addition for the Marlins last fall and could make his major league debut at some point this season if all goes well.

Mesa pulled up lame while running to first base. The Marlins for now are just referring to him as day-to-day and saying he will return to the team’s spring training complex in Jupiter to be examined by team doctors. Mesa doesn’t have a chance to crack the Opening Day roster, but, if healthy, has a shot to debut at some point in 2019.

They’re now eligible to sign. It was reported in late July that Victor Victor Mesa was nearing a verbal agreement with the Orioles, but it appears that was premature (although the O’s still seem to be in the mix). He is ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect for the 2018-19 international signing period.

Victor Victor will be joined by his brother Victor Mesa Jr. and RHP Sandy Gaston for the workout. Victor Victor is considered to be one of the top international prospects in baseball, and assuming the workout goes well, he’s going to be given a substantial bonus. There were reports this summer that Mesa was close to a deal with the Orioles, but it sounds like there’s nothing close at this time.

Victor Mesa, Jr. is also in the fold. The agreements were reported over the weekend and are now official, with a press conference scheduled for Monday. According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, Victor Victor, 22, will receive about $5.25 million while his 17-year-old brother gets a $1 million deal. The Marlins made no secret about their interest in the brothers and made a number of trades in order to collect the international bonus money needed to land them. Victor Victor was ranked as the No. 1 player in this year’s signing class and could make his way to the majors sooner rather than later. It’s a big day for the Marlins as they try to rebrand themselves under Derek Jeter’s leadership.

Marlins top executives Derek Jeter and Michael Hill will attend the news conference. The Marlins have not said what news they have to announce but the speculation is they have agreed to terms with the Mesa brothers, who are two of the top prospects available on the international market this year. The Cuban outfielders worked out for the Marlins two weeks ago. Victor Mesa Jr. posted a photograph of himself with former Marlins great Mike Lowell on Friday. Victor Victor Mesa was rumored to be close to a deal with the Orioles over the summer. Signing one or both of the brothers would provide a big boost to the Marlins’ minor league system.

The Marlins have been loading up on international bonus pool money for months, including the trade of one-time closer Kyle Barraclough earlier this month, and they’ve gotten their guys in the top two players available on the international market. Sanchez reports the Marlins will give Victor Victor more than $5 million, and Mesa Jr. nearly $1 million. What a win for an organization desperately in need of one.