Originally Posted by
bravesfanforlife88
MLB top prospects rates Mejia #26 as a C/OF where Anderson is rated as #34
Mejia: Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 70 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
Originally signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, Mejia made headlines four years later when he authored a 50-game hitting streak, the longest in the Minor Leagues since 1963, spanning parts of four months and two levels. The breakout performance earned Mejia a selection as the World team's starting catcher in the 2016 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, and he went on to finish sixth in the Minors with a .342 average. Mejia only built on that success in 2017, as he was named Eastern League Rookie of the Year, received his first taste of the Majors at age 21 in September and then had a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League while learning a new position. But it will now be up to the Padres to further Mejia's development after they acquired him from the Indians for relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber during the All-Star break.
The switch-hitting Mejia has natural hitting ability from both sides of the plate. Though his approach is aggressive, Mejia generates consistently hard contact to all fields thanks to his advanced bat-to-ball skills and outstanding barrel control. His physical strength and bat speed generates sneaky raw power, especially from the left side, and he's tapped into it more regularly as he's climbed the ladder.
After catching almost exclusively during his first four seasons, Mejia spent the entire AFL working at third base and then split time between the outfield and catcher in 2018 as the Indians explored ways to get his bat into the lineup. That versatility could help him get everyday at-bats with the Padres, too, though for now the club appears intent on keeping Mejia behind the plate.
Anderson: Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55