Erick Mejia is taking on a new challenge in his 13-year professional baseball career by attempting to transition from an infielder to a pitcher in the Washington Nationals’ spring camp. The longtime minor leaguer recently threw a 25-pitch live batting practice session against minor league hitters, and none of his pitches were put into play. This shift represents a fresh opportunity for Mejia, who is looking to extend his career in a different role.
Kansas City Royals Alum Erick Mejia Explores Pitching to Extend His Baseball Career
Mejia’s MLB experience is limited to 17 games with the Kansas City Royals during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The rest of his career has been spent in the minor league systems of the Mariners, Dodgers, Royals, and Nationals, where he compiled a .264/.333/.387 batting line over nearly 4,000 plate appearances.
Despite his consistency at the plate, he never secured a lasting spot in the majors, leading him to explore a new way to stay in professional baseball.
Erick Mejia (MLB)Mejia’s journey to pitching began unexpectedly last season when he was called upon to throw an inning during a blowout Triple-A game. His velocity reached 96 mph, even though he was pitching in sneakers, which immediately caught the attention of Nationals coaches. After a follow-up bullpen session, the team encouraged him to consider a full transition. In September, Mejia agreed to give pitching a serious try, seeing it as a possible path forward.
Rafael Chaves Guides Mejia’s Transition to Pitching with a Focus on Development
So far, Mejia has shown promising signs as a pitcher. His fastball has reached 98 mph with significant vertical movement, making it an intriguing weapon.
While his mechanics and overall pitching skills are still in the early stages of development, Nationals Triple-A pitching coach Rafael Chaves believes Mejia’s ability to throw strikes is a strong starting point. The team is now focused on refining his technique and helping him develop additional pitches to complement his fastball.
At 30 years old, Mejia understands that time is not on his side, but he remains open to change if it keeps his career alive. He acknowledged that trying something different is necessary to continue playing at a high level. Whether he successfully converts into a pitcher or this remains a short-term trial, Mejia’s effort adds an interesting storyline to the Nationals’ camp and highlights the determination needed to stay in professional baseball.
