BA GRADE
45
Risk: High
Born: Nov. 6, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-7. Wt.: 252. Drafted: Michigan State, 2016 (10th round). Signed by: Daniel Carte.
The massive Mekkes took a while to thrive, redshirting as a freshman at Michigan State and throwing just 12 innings the next spring. That summer, he starred in the Texas Collegiate League with 33 strikeouts in 26 innings. He had one of the best seasons of any college pitcher in 2016, leading the nation in most strikeouts (15.2) and fewest hits allowed (4.1) per nine innings.
Signed for $275,000, Mekkes hasn’t quite maintained that strikeout ratio, but he had a tremendous first full season in 2017, again proving hard to square up. Opponents hit just .155 against him in two Class A stops. Mekkes has deception in his long-limbed delivery, and hitters just don’t pick up his 90-92 mph fastball, which can touch 94, with any consistency. Cubs officials say Mekkes’ ball moves late and jumps even when you’re just playing catch with him, though the pitch lacks extraordinary spin rate. His average slider and changeup aren’t extraordinary, but they come out of the same low three-quarters slot as his fastball and play off the pitch.
Mekkes’ control actually has been better as a pro than it was in college, but Double-A will test if he can keep fooling hitters with his heater and pitch around the walks he does issue.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
2016 |
Cubs (AZL) |
R |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
2 |
0 |
|
Eugene (NWL) |
SS |
1 |
1 |
2.12 |
9 |
0 |
2017 |
South Bend (MWL) |
LoA |
3 |
0 |
0.58 |
18 |
0 |
|
Myrtle Beach (CAR) |
HiA |
5 |
2 |
1.28 |
24 |
0 |
Minor League Totals |
9 |
3 |
1.16 |
53 |
0 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
CG |
SV |
IP |
H |
HR |
2016 |
Cubs (AZL) |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
Eugene (NWL) |
0 |
0 |
17 |
11 |
1 |
2017 |
South Bend (MWL) |
0 |
4 |
31 |
14 |
1 |
|
Myrtle Beach (CAR) |
0 |
3 |
42 |
25 |
0 |
Minor League Totals |
0 |
7 |
93 |
51 |
2 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
BB |
SO |
K/9 |
WHIP |
AVG |
2016 |
Cubs (AZL) |
0 |
6 |
18.0 |
0.33 |
.100 |
|
Eugene (NWL) |
4 |
21 |
11.1 |
0.88 |
.186 |
2017 |
South Bend (MWL) |
14 |
47 |
13.6 |
0.90 |
.133 |
|
Myrtle Beach (CAR) |
20 |
45 |
9.6 |
1.06 |
.171 |
Minor League Totals |
38 |
119 |
11.5 |
0.95 |
.159 |
|