Yoel Mecias was one of my breakout prospects a year ago before he injured his elbow and required Tommy John surgery. At his best Mecias’s fastball was 88-92 touching 94 in short outings. However, his body suggests he could have plus velocity as he matures. His real weapon is his changeup which shows plus potential and possibly more and could be a real weapon long term. He was beginning to develop an average slider as a good third pitch. He has been a bit rusty coming back with the command coming and going and the fastball velocity a little diminished in a couple of starts. The changeup still looks like a real weapon. Mecias was ranked #23 by Baseball America, #9 by Baseball Prospectus, and #11 by me this past offseason, if he comes back he could challenge Biddle for the second best pitcher in the system behind Nola.
Mecias has made 4 rehab starts in the GCL going 17 IP 9 ER 8 BB 10 K. He will start for Lakewood on Tuesday.