Jenrry Mejía
Encyclopedia
Jenrry Manuel Mejía is a starting pitcher
for the New York Mets
. He signed with the Mets as an international free agent on April 4, 2007.
and New York Yankees
, but was not seen at that time as a top talent because he was small and slight of build. He ultimately signed with the Mets for $16,500.
and the Brooklyn Cyclones
. His combined statistics were a 5–2 record, with a 2.89 ERA in 14 starts.
Mejía started the 2009 season pitching for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets
. He was 4–1 with a 1.97 ERA. Then, he and Bradley Holt were both promoted to Double-A Binghamton
. There he posted a 0–4 record with a 4.38 ERA in 6 starts as of August 18. He also missed seven weeks with a strained middle finger on his pitching hand.
Because of his success in the 2009 season, he has been named the 48th best prospect in the major leagues in the MLB.com Midseason Top 50 Prospect list. After the 2009 season, the Mets assigned him to the Surprise Rafters
of the Arizona Fall League
. In February 2010, Mejía was ranked as the 56th best prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America
.
Mejía made the Mets 2010 opening day roster as a relief pitcher, making him the youngest Met to make an opening day roster since Dwight Gooden
. He made his major league debut on April 7, 2010.
On June 29, 2010 Mejia was sent back down to Double-A Binghamton to become a starter and Bobby Parnell
took his spot in the Mets Bullpen.
On September 4, 2010, Mejia made his first major league start for the Mets at Wrigley Field
against the Chicago Cubs
. Mike Nickeas
, who caught Mejia, also made his debut in the majors on the same day.
After starting for the Mets' AAA affiliate in Buffalo on April 29, 2011, Mejia left the game after four innings due to elbow discomfort. He was diagnosed a few days later with a complete tear of his medial collateral ligament and would require surgery. Mejia was expected to obtain a second opinion before deciding on the surgery.
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. He signed with the Mets as an international free agent on April 4, 2007.
Early life
Growing up, Mejía lived with his parents and younger brother in a neighborhood called Herrera, near Santo Domingo's former airport of the same name. Starting at the age of 11, he made his living by shining shoes, earning about 300 pesos a day. He did not play baseball until he was 15 years old, only becoming interested in the sport once he realized that players were able to earn a large signing bonus. He drew some interest from the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, but was not seen at that time as a top talent because he was small and slight of build. He ultimately signed with the Mets for $16,500.
Baseball career
In 2007, Mejía played for the DSL Mets. He recorded a 2–3 record with a 2.47 ERA 14 games (7 starts). The next year Mejía pitched for the GCL MetsGulf Coast League Mets
The Gulf Coast League Mets are the Rookie "A" Level minor league affiliate of the New York Mets. The team plays at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The GCL Mets entered the league in 1988 playing their home games in Sarasota, Florida at Twin Lakes Park. The team moved their base of...
and the Brooklyn Cyclones
Brooklyn Cyclones
The Brooklyn Cyclones is a minor league baseball team in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League, affiliated with the New York Mets. The Cyclones play at MCU Park just off the Coney Island boardwalk in the New York City borough of Brooklyn....
. His combined statistics were a 5–2 record, with a 2.89 ERA in 14 starts.
Mejía started the 2009 season pitching for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
. He was 4–1 with a 1.97 ERA. Then, he and Bradley Holt were both promoted to Double-A Binghamton
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
. There he posted a 0–4 record with a 4.38 ERA in 6 starts as of August 18. He also missed seven weeks with a strained middle finger on his pitching hand.
Because of his success in the 2009 season, he has been named the 48th best prospect in the major leagues in the MLB.com Midseason Top 50 Prospect list. After the 2009 season, the Mets assigned him to the Surprise Rafters
Surprise Rafters
The Salt River Rafters are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick near Scottsdale, Arizona....
of the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
. In February 2010, Mejía was ranked as the 56th best prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
.
Mejía made the Mets 2010 opening day roster as a relief pitcher, making him the youngest Met to make an opening day roster since Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
. He made his major league debut on April 7, 2010.
On June 29, 2010 Mejia was sent back down to Double-A Binghamton to become a starter and Bobby Parnell
Bobby Parnell
Robert Allen Parnell is an American baseball pitcher for the New York Mets. He was drafted by the Mets in the ninth round of the 2005 MLB Draft after attending college at Charleston Southern University....
took his spot in the Mets Bullpen.
On September 4, 2010, Mejia made his first major league start for the Mets at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Mike Nickeas
Mike Nickeas
Michael James Nickeas is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Mets....
, who caught Mejia, also made his debut in the majors on the same day.
After starting for the Mets' AAA affiliate in Buffalo on April 29, 2011, Mejia left the game after four innings due to elbow discomfort. He was diagnosed a few days later with a complete tear of his medial collateral ligament and would require surgery. Mejia was expected to obtain a second opinion before deciding on the surgery.