Adalberto Mejia

After logging a 4.65 FIP in 21 MLB starts in 2017, Mejia began the season in the minors as an afterthought. He improved at Triple-A, logging his best strikeout rate (8.8 K/9) since getting traded to Minnesota from San Francisco in 2016. When he finally got an extended shot again in the MLB rotation, he gave up just one run in his last four starts. Unfortunately, his season ended in early August with a nerve traction injury above his left (throwing) elbow. While just a small sample size, his improved strikeout rate in the minors did not translate to the majors (5.2 K/9). If Mejia is healthy this spring, he should contend for a spot in the rotation, but it's not clear that Twins management really believes in him as a major-league starter long term. He could open the year as the No. 5 starter and lone lefty in the rotation, but if he struggles, prospects from the minors will eventually push him to a swingman or low-leverage relief role.

Mejia had an up-and-down first full season in the majors but showed some promise. He won the fifth starter job in spring training, but struggled with a 5.79 ERA in his first three starts and was sent to Triple-A. Mejia improved after he was called up in May, going 8-7 with a 4.31 ERA over his next 15 starts. He then missed a month with a left biceps strain in early August and struggled in his last three starts in September. On the whole, Mejia lacked the bat-missing ability (7.8 K/9) to make up for his poor control (4.0 BB/9). His fastball velocity (92.8 mph) is solid for a southpaw, but the pitch doesn't have much movement. In fact, all four of his offerings rated as below-average pitches last year, according to FanGraphs' pitch value metric. He has the frame (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) to handle a starter's workload, and he won't turn 25 until June, so he will likely enter 2018 in the rotation. However, his upside might be capped as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Mejia improved significantly in his second season at Double-A Richmond with a 3.94 ERA and 58:16 K:BB in 65 innings. He then saw his strikeouts climb to 9.6 K/9 at Triple-A Sacramento, although he had a 4.20 ERA. His improvement resulted in a trade to Minnesota, where he has an easier path to the majors amid Minnesota's struggles in the starting rotation. Mejia has a low-90s fastball, a solid slider, and changeup, giving him an arsenal that enables him to profile as a back-of-the-rotation starter. He'll contend for a rotation spot this spring and should get a shot later this summer even if he begins the year back in Triple-A Rochester.

After serving a 50-game suspension for taking a banned stimulant, Mejia returned to Double-A Richmond and posted a 2.45 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. The lack of strikeouts at the minor league level is a bit concerning for a lefty who can touch 95 mph with his fastball. With the Giants lacking left-handed starters in their farm system, Mejia could find himself in the majors as soon as this year. At 22 years old, he is still considered one of the Giants' top pitching prospects, but those in dynasty leagues should be weary of his lack of strikeouts before investing too much in him.

Mejia’s prospect stock is trending downward. He would have been considered one of the few Giants prospects with a shot at contributing this season, but in November it was announced that he had been suspended 50 games for testing positive for a stimulant, essentially ruling out a 2015 big-league debut. The 6-foot-3 southpaw got off to a really shaky start in 2014 at Double-A Richmond, but in his final 11 starts he posted a 2.95 ERA, re-establishing himself as a potential back-end starter in the majors. However, his strikeouts were way down in 2014, posting a 17.9% strikeout rate, a far cry from the 25.1% mark he put up in 2013 at High-A San Jose. Mejia could still survive in a big-league rotation with his plus, low-90s fastball and solid-average slider and changeup, but the dream of the big lefty being a No. 3 starter seems highly unlikely.