Yankees Prospect Profile: OF Melky Mesa

Background Melquisedec or Melky Mesa, 24, is a right handed hitting outfielder listed at 6-1 and 165-pounds. He was born in Bajos de Haina in the Dominican Republic and was signed by the Yankees on July 2, 2003. Pro Career Mesa started his pro career in the Dominican Summer League in 2004. In his first year he hit just .146 with 67 strikeouts in 144 at bats. In 2005 he upped his average to .304 in just 23 at bats. He was finally brought state side as a 19-year-old in 2006 where he started with the Gulf Coast League Yankees. In 40 games there he hit .207 with a .611 OPS and 45 strikeouts in 145 at bats. He stayed in the GCL in 2007 and only made marginal improvements as he hit .235 with a .679 OPS and 55 strikeouts over 153 at bats. He finally broke out of the GCL in 2008, but still couldn’t make it to a full season league as he was assigned to the Short Season-A Staten Island Yankees. His numbers kept improving though. His average dropped to .221, but his OPS was .719 as...