Royals sign more ex-Braves players

by gondeee on Dec 11, 2009 12:16 PM EST in Free Agents Comment 16 comments

I read the MLBTR headline that listed ex-Braves pitcher Bruce Chen as one of six players the Royals signed to minor league deals, and I said to myself, there's got to be at least one more ex-Braves player in that group. Sure enough, first baseman Ernesto Mejia also signed a minor league deal.

I thought he was still with the Braves organization, but then I searched back through our archives and realized he was a minor league free agent. He had a breakout year in 2008, but didn't do much after injuring his wrist in 2009. With the Braves set at first base in the minors, he's not much of a loss. It would be interesting to see if the Royals can actually graduate any of our ex-prospects to the majors.

We ranked Mejia as our third-best first base prospect before he became a free agent.

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Bruce Chen?

That guy still exists?

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by Sweatsack on Dec 11, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He probably still looks like a 16-year old too.

by gondeee on Dec 11, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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by Chopaholic on Dec 11, 2009 12:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn’t it be Central?

I like Meija, and I think this is a good add. Anybody know about his glove? Could be a cheap insurance policy on Butler being able to stick at 1B defensively.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Dec 11, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

His glove is decent, not great, and I don’t think he’s close enough to the majors to back anyone up like you suggest with Butler. He fits better with an AL club where he can DH if need be. At the point the Royals are just taking a flier that his power will develope and translate to the major league level.

by gondeee on Dec 11, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha.

Yeah, the more I think about it, this just seems like a longshot.

I wasn’t thinking about Meija as a back-up for Butler this year, but let’s face it. Butler’s already only average at best at 1B, and he’s not going to get better as he ages. With Shealy and now Jacobs out of the organization, I was wondering what kind of depth they had at 1B, but I forgot that either Gordon or Moustakas will probably get pushed there in a year or two.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Dec 11, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If he's healthy again...

Mejia is a very nice pick up.

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 11, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

His glove is pretty bad. He’s servicable if he hits but he’s not very fluid. He’s tall and bulky and really doesn’t move well in the field. The scary thing is he was originally a right fielder.

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by cbwilk on Dec 11, 2009 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Considering they have Ka’aihue, I really don’t think Mejia would be the first option. Shealy, too

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by bigjoe on Dec 12, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Shealy was a minor league FA? By 2011, either Gordon or Moustakas will probably be at 1B.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Dec 12, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the real question:

Who is the best Braves AAA Club:

A) Gwinnett Braves or
B) Kansas City Royals?

by cavebird on Dec 11, 2009 3:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Seeing as KC has Greinke, Butler and Soria, among others, it’s not even a close call.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Dec 11, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Again, I can't find...

…the j/k font.

by cavebird on Dec 11, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mejia - Whoa!

I am very disappointed we did not re-sign him.

He’s tearing up the VWL.

by parish on Dec 11, 2009 5:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yeah, it does seem hard to understand – notwithstanding gondee’s view to the contrary.

by fandave on Dec 11, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mejia actually tore his ACL, that’s why he missed most of the year. He may have had a write injury too, but I don’t remember hearing about that. Nice guy, good hitter, better off being able to DH, wish him the best.

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by cbwilk on Dec 12, 2009 3:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs