Juan Mejía (baseball)

Mejía signed with the Colorado Rockies as an international free agent on May 5, 2017,^[1] receiving a $140,000 signing bonus. A Rockies scout first noticed Mejía at a tryout where the team was scouting a different pitcher. He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Rockies,^[2] posting a 2.84 ERA in 16 games. Mejía returned to the DSL Rockies in 2018, accumulating a 3–5 record and 5.43 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched across 13 starts.^[1]

Mejía made 24 appearances for the rookie-level Grand Junction Rockies in 2019, recording a 2.83 ERA with 28 strikeouts and four saves across 28+2⁄3 innings pitched. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[3] Mejía returned to action in 2021 with the Single-A Fresno Grizzlies, posting a 3–5 record and 4.82 ERA with 66 strikeouts and eight saves over 43 appearances.^[4]

Mejía made 44 total appearances split between Fresno and the High-A Spokane Indians in 2022, accumulating a 3–3 record and 4.68 ERA with 60 strikeouts and six saves over 50 innings. He split the 2023 season between Spokane and the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats. In 48 appearances out of the bullpen for the two affiliates, Mejía had a 3–5 record, two saves, 5.06 ERA, and 86 strikeouts across 58+2⁄3 innings pitched.^[5][6] He began working with the Rockies' mental skills coach during the season, trying to shake off poor performances. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League after the season, using a new grip on his slider that increased its velocity.^[2] On November 14, the Rockies added Mejía to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.^[7]

Mejía was optioned to the Hartford to begin the 2024 season.^[8] In 47 appearances, which led the Eastern League, he posted a 4–4 record and 5.00 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 6 saves over 54 innings of work.^[9]

Mejía began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.^[10] On April 24, Mejía was promoted to the major leagues for the first time to serve as the 27th man for the team's doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals.^[11] He pitched an inning in the second game of the doubleheader, allowing an unearned run following a throwing error by catcher Jacob Stallings. Mejía was promptly demoted but then called back up on April 27 before pitching for Albuquerque. After four scoreless outings, he allowed 7 runs (three unearned) in a 21–0 loss the to the San Diego Padres on May 10, then demoted again. He was back in the majors two weeks later.^[2][12]

On August 17, Mejía earned his first major league save, which he sealed by making a jumping catch on a weakly hit Ketel Marte ball, colliding with first baseman Warming Bernabel.^[13] Mejía made 55 relief appearances for Colorado during his rookie campaign, posting a 2–2 record, one save, a 3.96 ERA, and 68 strikeouts across 61+1⁄3 innings pitched.^[14] He threw primarily a fastball and slider, occasionally throwing a changeup that he said he lacked confidence in throwing.^[15][2]

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