Is Marlins prospect Victor Mesa a Rookie of the Year candidate?

By David Levin | Nov 18, 2018

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 15: Outfielder Victor Mesa #32 of Cuba hits a RBI double to make it 13-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool E Game Five between Netherlands and Cuba at the Tokyo Dome on March 15, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images) /

Recently signed outfielder Victor Mesa of the Miami Marlins is garnering some early consideration as the team’s best candidate to win the National League Rookie of the Year.

Is it too early to discuss the Miami Marlins potential rookie call-ups who could impact the team in 2019? Is it too much to ask newly acquire Cuban prospect Victor Mesa to win the National League Rookie of the Year next season for the team that hopes he can provide a spark in the outfield and in the lineup?

Per MLB.com’s Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo, and Mike Rosenbaum, it’s never too early to discuss baseball and the future. Now that the postseason hardware has been announced and award winners are basking in their success, the move to focus on 2019 has begun. Mesa, who came over with his brother Victor Mesa, Jr. is considered part of the future of this franchise with plenty of potential to shine.

In the world of sports, potential is the most dangerous word used because it changes daily. For the Marlins, the Mesas are part of the continuing changes this organization has undergone and will continue to undergo before the start of Spring Training in Jupiter, FL in February.

More from Marlins News

"“On Monday, Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuna Jr. were named Rookie of the Year in the American and National Leagues, respectively, they write. “But they were far from the only first-year players to make an impact in the big leagues in 2018.”"

The 2019 season should feature many future stars, including Mesa, potentially outfielder Monte Harrison and pitcher Nick Neidert. The Marlins farm system is growing for the better after years of lying dormant and weak. Add Mesa to the list of players in attendance in February and the outfield competition in camp could get very interesting.

First, Mesa must make the Opening Day roster.

"“While there currently are quite a few unknowns with Mesa, whom Miami signed for $5.5 million on Oct. 22, the consensus is that the 22-year-old outfielder shouldn’t require all too much seasoning in the Minor Leagues after his success in Cuba’s Serie Nacional,” they added."

The Marlins used a bevy of players to fill roles in the outfield in 2018. An injury to Lewis Brinson derailed his start, which wasn’t spectacular at the plate. He was considered a contender for Rookie of the Year prior to the 2018 campaign.

Brian Anderson, who finished fourth in the ROY voting this season, spent time at both third base and in right field. He is Miami’s third baseman of the future but still may start 2019 back in the outfield. Most likely, Brinson is the only player guaranteed a starting slot in centerfield and the rest will be worked out once the Marlins convene on south Florida.

Mesa has as good a shot as anyone on the team’s 40-man roster to earn a place on the 25-man roster.

Next. Will the Astros make an offer for J.T. Realmuto?. dark

"“His plus defense in center field gives him a high floor in the big leagues, and any offensive contributions that surpass expectations could make him a ROY candidate,” the three writers added."

Home/Marlins News