Victor Mesa Jr. traded to Tampa Bay Rays

[Kevin Barral]

On Friday, the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays agreed on a trade that sent outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. to the Rays in exchange for minor league infielder Angel Brachi. Mesa had been designated for assignment on Tuesday in a corresponding roster move that allowed the Marlins to claim Garrett Acton off waivers.

Mesa remains in the state of Florida, but leaves the only professional franchise that he's ever known. The 24-year-old had been the longest-tenured position player in the Marlins organization, signing alongside his brother, Victor Victor Mesa, in October 2018 when both were international free agents.

 

 

 

 

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In 2025 at the Triple-A level, Mesa slashed .286/.352/.460/.813 with seven home runs, 33 RBI and a 121 wRC+ in 52 games played. He was called up to the majors and made his debut where in 16 games, he hit .188/.297/.344/.641 with one home run, six RBI and an 81 wRC+.

Mesa will have a slightly easier path to regular MLB playing time with Tampa Bay than he had in Miami, but making the Opening Day roster looks like an uphill battle for him. The Rays have three other left-handed-hitting outfielders ahead of him on their depth chart in Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley. If necessary, the Rays can option him to the minor leagues (Mesa has one more option left).

As for Brachi, 19, he signed for $800k in the 2024 international signing class. Repeating the Dominican Summer League last season, he slashed .337/.453/.408/.861 with 21 RBI, 17 stolen bases and a 142 wRC+ in 51 games. The Cumana, Venezuela, native has led all rookie-level players in Minor League Baseball with 30 HBP since making his pro debut—that is a major reason for his career .403 OBP.

Entering the 2025 season, FanGraphs had Brachi as the 49th-best prospect in the Rays organization with a 35+ future value on the 20-80 scale. "He’s a gritty scout favorite with limited tools but advanced baseball acumen and feel to hit," wrote Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan. Brachi's biggest obstacle long term will be producing power (zero homers in his MiLB career thus far).

The Marlins and Rays have linked up on at least one trade with each other every year dating back to 2021, so this deal extends that streak to six years.

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[Miami Italiano]

You know, there are other 28 other teams besides the Ray's to trade with...

[Jose Herrera]

Farewell Mesa. Let's see if Brachi is able to hit in the U.S.