Mesa brothers to appear in showcase Oct. 5
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Top international prospect Victor Victor Mesa, 22, and his younger brother, Victor Mesa Jr., 17, are scheduled to star in a showcase for all 30 teams on Oct. 5 at Marlins Park.
The brothers, who left Cuba in May, were declared free agents and eligible to sign with a Major League club earlier this month. The siblings had been working out in the Dominican Republic.
Where the brothers will sign is still a mystery.
The Orioles have a little over $6.7 million in bonus pool money to spend on international prospects, the most money in baseball. The Marlins are next, with $4.3 million, followed by the Rays at $3.6 million and the Dodgers at $2.78 million.
Here's what we know: Victor Victor Mesa, who moved to the top spot on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list, is considered an outstanding outfield defender with a strong arm. He's a plus runner and a good athlete. He made his debut for Matanzas in Cuba's Serie Nacional, the island's top league, at 16, and also played for Cuba during last year's World Baseball Classic.
Victor Jr. was a star for Cuba's 18U national team and is a switch-hitting outfielder with hitting potential and a decent arm. He will likely join his brother on the top international prospects list after he is scouted and evaluated by teams in the showcase.
The Mesas are considered baseball royalty in Cuba. The brothers' father, Victor Mesa Sr., played almost two decades in Cuba's Serie Nacional starting in the late 1970s, and he was a star outfielder for the Cuban national team. He managed in Cuba, Mexico and the 2017 World Baseball Classic team.
Right-handed pitcher Sandy Gaston, ranked No. 16 among international prospects, is also scheduled to work out for scouts at the showcase. He is also from Cuba.