Reliever Víctor Mederos will be on the Atlanta Braves’ roster for the Wild Card Series, joining Raisel Iglesias as the team’s second Cuban player.
Mederos began the season in the Los Angeles Angels organization, pitching in the minor leagues. He was later traded to the Braves organization and called up to the major leagues. In 34⅓ innings, Mederos posted a 3.41 ERA, a 3.07 FIP, 8.91 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.67 walks per nine.
During the final series of the regular season, Pelota Cubana USA spoke with Mederos about the journey that brought him to this moment.
Interview with Víctor Mederos
When you began the year in Triple-A with the Angels, you probably never imagined you would be here, on the verge of the playoffs with Atlanta. What has this season meant to you?
It has left me speechless. When you look at where I started the year, in Triple-A with the Angels, and everything that happened afterward to get here, I feel like God put everything in place. In Atlanta, I found players I can call brothers, like Raisel Iglesias. He has helped me tremendously with the mental side of the game and how I prepare. I’m very grateful for this moment in my life and for everything I’ve been able to learn from the people around me.
During those uncertain moments, did you ever think your opportunity in the major leagues might not come?
You have those moments, but we Cubans don’t sit back and do nothing when things get tough. I had a lot of faith in God and believed there was a plan for me. I tried to remind myself that those moments would pass and that my situation wouldn’t always be the same.
Raisel keeps telling me something that has helped me a lot: when things go well, don’t get too high; when things go badly, don’t get too low. Everything passes. Thinking that way has given me peace and the confidence to take the mound believing I can do my job.
Beyond that confidence, what has changed in the way you pitch since joining the Braves?
I’ve learned where I need to locate each pitch, whether it’s the fastball, sinker or sweeper. Before, I would often go out there, throw pitches in the zone and see what happened. You can’t work that way in the major leagues because hitters will make you pay. You need to have a plan and learn to read their swings.
Raisel helps me a lot with that. In the bullpen, we look at the iPad, and he asks me what a hitter was looking for, why he reacted a certain way to a pitch or what I was trying to accomplish in that at-bat. He makes me think about how I reached a decision. Those conversations have changed the way I pitch and, honestly, my entire career.
What does it mean to have a closer with Raisel Iglesias’ track record devote time to helping you?
It means everything to me. The veterans have always told me to ask whatever comes to mind because the guys who have spent years in this game want to help, but you have to approach them first. I don’t know everything, and it would be a mistake to act like I do.
That’s why I ask Raisel, Dylan Lee and the other guys in the bullpen questions. This is my first year working as a reliever; before, I had always been a starter. Having them around has helped me tremendously, and I know everything I’m learning will serve me for the rest of my career.
You went through difficult stretches before reaching this moment. Looking back, how do you view those days now?
I believe God takes you through certain stages to prepare you for what comes next. I’m grateful even for the times I went out to pitch and got hit hard, for the days when I couldn’t throw a strike or when nothing went right. I had to learn from all of that without hanging my head.
If today was a bad day, tomorrow brings another opportunity. What happened yesterday is already behind us. I’ve also learned that way of thinking from Raisel and other people here. They’ve taught me to focus on the present, on the pitch I need to make right now.
The playoffs are approaching, and you could experience them with Atlanta. How do you picture yourself coming in to pitch at a decisive moment?
If you’ve watched me pitch, you know I pitch with a lot of emotion. I love the heat of the moment. I like getting the ball when the team needs me, and I’m grateful that the manager and my teammates trust me in those situations.
My whole life, I’ve heard people tell me I couldn’t do something, and I’ve had to go out and prove I could. Now I have the opportunity to help this team. Whether I need to get three outs, six outs or however many it takes, I’m going to go out there, compete and give Atlanta a chance to win.