MELKY MESA IS MAKING HIS CASE

There is no doubt that Melky Mesa is making a case for himself at Spring Training alongside Ronnier Mustelier and Zolio Almonte. With Curtis Granderson out until May, these 3 are eyeing the 4th Outfield spot more than ever. Each one is a worthy candidate that's for sure. Melky however is the standout of the 3, according to George King of the NY Post, read HERE. 

Mesa is hitting .222 with 2 HR's and 4 RBI's. Not bad so far, I'd say. Of the 3, Mesa played at AAA Scranton in 2012, and got a September call up to NY making his major league debut on Sept. 22 as a pinch runner. You remember that long, marathon game against the Oakland A's, right? Read HERE.  It wasn't until October 1st that he would get his 1st big league hit against the Boston Red Sox.

Mesa has quite a decent minor league resume too.  He was named the 2010 MVP in the Tampa Yankees Class A league. He also was named "Best Outfield Arm" in the Yankees Farm system in both 2009, and 2010.

Defensively he's outstanding. He has a cannon of an arm and we're familiar with cannons with Brett Gardner out there already throwing bee lines to home. We've seen it a lot and with Mesa in either center or left field, we could very well see more of it.    In fact, just a few days ago, Joe Girardi suggested that without Granderson getting work in left field because of his busted forearm, it may be a smart move to put Mesa in Center and move Gardner back to left, if Mesa makes the team of course.  Read BRETT GARDNER TO CENTER? THINK AGAIN for clarity on that.

The one downside about Mesa is his strikeout ratio. He has had some inconsistency at the plate, but with Kevin Long mentoring him in the cage, I believe that will gradually improve. To me, Mesa should win that 4th outfield spot. He is a kid with heart and withdrew playing for his native Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic to spend more time in Tampa to work towards the big prize with the Yankees. That says alot to me. It means he's hungry. 

No doubt, Melky Mesa is the talk of Yankees Spring Training. How do I know? Robinson Cano is even amazed by him. That is enough to convince me that Mesa is a gifted baseball talent and one we should continue to keep our eyes on.

-- Rudy Laurens, BYB Writer
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