Mesa Jr. signed with older brother Victor Victor Mesa this past off-season. There was significant fanfare surrounding both Cuban outfielders turning pro, with a well-publicized team-only workout leading up to the announcement that both Victor Victor ($5 million) and Victor Jr. ($1 million) had signed with Miami. Victor Victor has commanded much of the attention up to this point, though the younger 17-year-old Mesa Jr. is starting to generate his own buzz on the backfields of Florida Extended Spring Training.

Taller and rangier than his older brother, Mesa Jr. has a lean, athletic 5-foot-11 frame with room to add strength throughout. He hits from an upright stance, showing nice balance and natural leverage from the left side. Mesa Jr. has yet to grow into his man strength, and while he’s currently slow covering up in the zone against velocity, his batspeed should increase with physical gains. The ball came off his barrel with authority and tall lines across my three-game backfields look, hinting at some power potential from a stroke that projects to stay inside while still being able to drive pitches with authority. Mesa Jr. has improved his speed, now showing tick above-average times up the line and motoring around the field with an athletic gait. He looks the part defensively in CF, tracking balls behind him with fluid strides that cover solid ground in the outfield.

For a point of reference, Mesa Jr. is still young enough to be a junior in high school. He wouldn’t even have been eligible for this year’s draft if he were an American prospect. His age and proximity add risk, though inversely, those factors also provide ample upside as Mesa Jr. keeps growing into his body. He projects to stay in CF and provide value on defense, with enough hitting tools to dream on the offensive upside of a big league regular.