Growing Pains Over for Mejia

August 8, 2008   ·   Patrick Hickey, Jr.   ·   Jump to comments

While every other 18-year-old guy at Keyspan Park is worrying about what bar they’ll secretly hop to after the game, Jenrry Mejia has other things on his mind- getting hitters out.

Looking more like a reggaeton singer than a professional pitcher, with a big, curly, black afro sticking out of his cap and complete absence of facial hair, it’s easy not to think much of the baby-faced hurler when he’s on the mound.

Regardless of his appearance though, Mejia has proven he belongs in Brooklyn and has made a habit of fooling hitters this season. Going a combined 4-1 with a 2.86 ERA with the Cyclones and the Mets other minor league affiliate in the Gulf Coast League, the youngster has opened up the eyes of everyone in the organization.

“He has a bright future,” said catcher Jordan Abruzzo. “He has really dominating stuff and he has a lot of room to get better. He’s going to be a lot of fun to watch one day.”

His age may be one reason for concern, but Mejia, who hails from the Dominican Republic and idolizes Mets hurler Pedro Martinez, speaks barely a lick of English. His body language on the mound however, speaks volumes. Showing the intensity of a major leaguer after every strikeout or hit given up, Mejia’s teammates can never say his heart isn’t in the game.

Regardless of the raw emotion he often emits on the mound, after his first two starts in Brooklyn, where he gave up nine earned runs in eight innings, many scouts thought the youngster was in over head. Bouncing back the same way his team has over the past 20 games, Mejia hasn’t lost a game in over a month and is now a key member of the Brooklyn starting rotation.

“His first few starts, he was a different pitcher,” said Cyclones skipper Edgar Alfonzo. “He was throwing the ball, but now he’s a pitcher. He’s not nervous any more and now it’s obvious that he can pitch at this level. He’s just a tough kid that doesn’t like to lose.”

That kind of success the Brooklyn coaching staff believes has come from his ability to stand up for himself with his teammates and assert himself on the mound by throwing his fastball and breaking ball inside.

Like any teenager, Mejia appeared shy to the media upon his arrival in Brooklyn this season and couldn’t be found in the clubhouse for interviews after his first few starts.

“My first few starts, I was scared and hitters were taking advantage of my mistakes,” Mejia said through a translator. “It felt like they knew what pitches I was going to throw. Now, I know that I can’t just rely on my fastball and I have to work hard to be successful.”

Now comfortable in Brooklyn, Mejia has been seen slapping his teammates on the back in the clubhouse after games and goofing around in the parking lot by the team bus.

Opposing hitters have also felt his wrath, as Mejia has struck out 23 hitters in his last 21 innings pitched.

“He has the potential to be something special one day,” said Alfonzo. “When you have the tools and the heart and you know you’re good, you can play anywhere. I came here when I was 16 and didn’t know the language either and I made out okay. I don’t think it’s a concern for him.”

Still preferring to let his play on the field do the talking, Mejia is soaking up the experience of being a professional ballplayer.

Quickly becoming one of the top prospects in the Mets organization, Mejia’s play may land him in the major leagues much quicker than some think.

Not that it would make much of a difference to him right now.

“I feel like I’m in the big leagues,” said Mejia. “Pitching in Brooklyn has been like a dream come true for me.”

Link-

Box Score to last night’s 2-0 Cyclone win.

Photos by Ron Hatcher.