Miami Marlins may not wait long on Victor Mesa

It may have only been a three day camp for minor league players, but Victo Mesa has already made a strong impression.

The Miami Marlins are hoping that Victor Mesa can be the face of the franchise for years to come. The Cuban outfielder already ranks as the Marlins top prospect, expected to be an excellent defensive player with exceptional speed on the basepaths. While there may be some question as to how well he will hit in the future, and likely little power, Mesa appears to be close to contributing to the Marlins at the major league level.

He certainly did not dispel those ideas on Monday. As one of the nine prospects taking part in the Marlins three day mini-camp, Mesa impressed on the diamond. The months of training and conditioning since he signed appear to have paid off, as Mesa was reportedly impressive during batting practice.

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Currently, Mesa is expected to begin the 2019 campaign either in high-A ball or at the AA level. If he impresses, it may not be long until he reaches the majors, especially if his hit tool comes together quickly. He would certainly be an exciting addition to the roster, a player that the fanbase would be excited to see.

Yet, there is no question that Mesa needs more seasoning. Although he reached the highest level of baseball in Cuba at just 16 years old, he has not played in nearly two years. Despite six seasons in the Cuban National Series, he only played in 318 games, hardly a number that would lead one to expect a swift ascent through the system.

The thing is, Mesa is not a normal prospect. Perhaps more than any other piece acquired during the Marlins rebuild, he carries the most pressure. Not only is he expected to be the face of the franchise, but Mesa is the centerpiece of the rebuild. His presence is expected to not only energize the local population and help bring fans to the park, but to also be one of the pieces for the Marlins to build around.

The Miami Marlins have a lot riding on Victor Mesa’s development. If he continues to impress, they may not have long to wait until he reaches the majors.