Marlins’ Victor Victor Mesa Forges his Own Path After First Season in U.S.

By Jose M. Romero

Victor Victor Mesa — yes, that’s his name — is asked about the uniqueness of his double first name.

“Next question,” is his reply. 

Mesa wasn’t in much of a mood to answer a lot of questions after being the last player out of the batting cage only about an hour before he was to start for the Salt River Rafters in a game for the recently completed Arizona Fall League. He’d put in serious work and still had more to do that night. 

The 23-year-old Miami Marlins prospect had already left an impression in the annual showcase of the major leagues’ best prospects from every organization. He’d made a sliding catch in center field during a game on Oct. 2. He’d made the Fall Stars East team, where he lost the first ball hit to him in the sun and collided with a teammate in the outfield, ending his night early. 

He’d come back from the collision and finished the Fall League with a .271 batting average including four doubles in 12 games.

The style of play and hitting doubles are byproducts of how Mesa plays the game.

“Aggressive. I like to stay active on the field and go after the ball or run hard. I try to steal bases. I try to make things happen. Things like that,” he said.

Mesa was asked if he ever had a favorite player after which he modeled his game.

“I like a lot of players who have made it to the big leagues but no one in particular as a favorite,” he said. “More than anything I just tried to focus on getting better myself with hitting and everything else, I didn’t admire any one player particularly.”

BORN TO PLAY BEISBOL

Mesa’s father was a ballplayer in their native Cuba, so Victor Victor said he was born to do this. 

“I was born with a bat and glove in my bed,” he said. 

Together with brother Victor, the boys grew up around the game and got better and better. Then a decision on the boys’ future was made, and that decision meant coming to the U.S. 

Mesa had been to Miami as a visitor before. The next time he arrived in South Florida, he had become the top international prospect, and just over a year ago signed with the Miami Marlins along with his brother. 

But before that, baseball took a back seat to getting his affairs in order, his paperwork arranged and his mind right in preparation for leaving Cuba. 

I spent that year trying to leave Cuba and getting my paperwork filed and with all that I couldn’t play much,” Mesa said. “And when I signed the season was already over in the U.S., so I went straight to spring training. But it was a little complicated with so much adjusting to do on and off the field. But now I am feeling so much better.”

There was also the matter of an injury keeping him from playing more often. But on the day he and his brother signed, with Marlins CEO Derek Jeter sitting next to them at a table, Mesa knew his career could take off. 

“So happy. First with the signing with my brother, and then the team we went to. Only a few people get this opportunity and to be one of those is a blessing,” Mesa said. “It really was a special day for my family. The Marlins have a lot of great prospects and the brand is growing and I want to be part of the process, this transition into a good team.”

ADJUSTMENTS TO BE MADE

This year, Mesa learned a lot about the quality of play in the U.S. minor leagues. He said it is much better than in Cuba. 

Mesa hit .235 in 116 games between Class A Jupiter and AA Jacksonville, his position mainly being center field. He didn’t commit a single error. 

At the age if 15, he was playing for Matanzas in Cuba’s major league. 

“The last few years the level of play has gone down because a lot of players have left in search of a better future, right?” Mesa said. “But it’s competitive baseball and there is still a lot of talent to come from there.”

He’s hopeful a clearer path will be opened to allow Cuban players to move freely to the U.S. 

“Everyone wants it so it’s legally a lot easier to come and go from Cuba, but well, right now that’s not possible so the best we can do is keep working hard,” he said.

Featured Image: Matt Roberts / Getty Images Sport