Víctor Mesa Jr., the 23-year-old outfielder and son of Cuban Legend Victor Mesa, made his Major League debut tonight against the San Diego Padres. He thus becomes the 398th Cuban player to reach the Majors and the 13th to wear a Marlins uniform, the first since hurler Vladimir Gutiérrez in 2024.
He becomes the 28th Cuban to see action on the grand stage this season. However he is only 396th to Antillean to see action in the majors, considering that both Ronnier Mustelier (Braves) and Luis Miguel Romero (Oakland) were activated at the time but never saw game action.
The information was confirmed by journalist Kevin Barral, who also announced that Derek Hill was placed on the injured list with a sore left wrist as a result. Mesa Jr., the Marlins’ ranked 26th prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Signed for $1 million in 2018 after leaving Cuba, Mesa has been in the Marlins’ farm system system for six years. Last season he was on the verge of being called up after posting impressive numbers in Triple-A (.259/.319/.430, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 98 wRC+), but a lower back injury sidelined him.
This season didn’t start well for the outfielder either: a hamstring strain in spring training took him out of contention for the Opening Day roster. Once recovered, he played six games at Triple-A Jacksonville, posting a .300/.375/.650 slash line with one home run, five RBIs, and a 161 wRC+.
He also once again demonstrated his ability to produce against left-handed pitchers, as he has done over the past two seasons, maintaining great splits and a near-.900 OPS against southpaws. Defensively, Mesa can play any of the three outfield positions.
Cubans that played in MLB this season:
1. Lourdes Gurriel Jr LF (Arizona)
2. Daysbel Hernández RHP (Atlanta)
3. Raisel Iglesias RHP (Atlanta)
4. Yennier Cano RHP (Baltimore)
5. Cionel Pérez LHP (Baltimore)
6. Aroldis Chapman LHP (Boston)
7. Luis Robert OF (White Sox)
8. Miguel Vargas IF (White Sox)
9. Edgar Quero C (White Sox)
10. Dairon Blanco OF (Kansas City)
11. Yoan Moncada IF (Angels)
12. Jorge Soler OF (Angels)
13. Víctor Mederos RHP (Angels)
14 Andy Pagés OF (Dodgers)
15. Yuli Gurriel IF (San Diego)
16. José Iglesias IF (San Diego)
17. Adrián Morejón LHP (San Diego)
18. Randy Arozarena OF (Mariners)
19. Yandy Díaz IF (Tampa Bay)
20. Adolis García OF (Texas)
21. Yariel Rodríguez RHP (Toronto)
22. Orlando Ribalta RHP (Washington)
23. Andy Ibáñez IF (Detroit)
24. Yordan Álvarez OF-DH (Houston)
25. Néstor Cortés Jr LHP (Milwaukee)
26. Victor Mesa Jr OF (Miami)
27. José Barrero IF-OF (St. Louis)
28. Yosver Zulueta RHP (Cincinnati)