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Ernesto Mejia Released from Braves Roster

Gwinnett Braves first baseman wishes to play in Japan
By
April 26, 2014

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Atlanta Braves announced today that Gwinnett Braves first baseman Ernesto Mejia has been granted his release from the 40-man roster for the purpose of playing in the Japanese Pacific League. The Braves and Seibu Lions reached an agreement for Mejia's services and he will report to Japan next week.

Mejia, 28, played in 287 games for the Gwinnett Braves over the past three seasons, batting .279 (302-for-1,082) with 72 doubles, two triples, 59 home runs, 143 runs scored and 199 RBIs. He stands as Gwinnett's career leader in home runs, RBIs and doubles, and ranks second in club history in games and hits. 

Mejia's Triple-A career with Gwinnett was highly decorated. In his debut campaign in 2012, he hit .296 with 24 home runs and led the International League with 92 RBIs, earning the IL Rookie of the Year award. That same season, he was selected to both the IL midseason and postseason All-Star teams and was named Gwinnett's Most Valuable Player at year's end. Mejia returned to the G-Braves in 2013 and hit .249 with a career-high 28 home runs and an IL-best 83 RBIs in 134 games. He was named to his second consecutive IL midseason All-Star team and also participated in the Triple-A Home Run Derby in Reno, NV.

This season with Gwinnett, Mejia hit .354 with five doubles, seven home runs, 12 runs scored and 24 RBIs in 20 games. As of his final game with the club on April 24, he ranked among Minor League leaders in RBIs (2nd), home runs (T-6th) and total bases (7th, 54) and among International League leaders in RBIs (1st), home runs (2nd), hits (2nd, 28), slugging percentage (2nd, .684), extra-base hits (T-2nd, 12), OPS (3rd, 1.104), total bases (3rd), batting average (4th) and on-base percentage (7th, .420). He was named the IL Batter of the Week on April 7, his second career IL weekly award, after hitting .308 (4-for-13) with four home runs and seven RBIs from April 3-6.

A native of Guanare, Venezuela, Mejia was originally signed by the Atlanta Braves as a non-drafted free agent on July 8, 2002. After signing with Kansas City on December 11, 2009 and spending the 2010 season in the Royals' minor league system, he returned to the Braves on a minor league free agent deal on December 13, 2010.

The Gwinnett Braves open a four-game series against the Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field on Saturday night, first pitch scheduled for 6:00 PM. Right-hander Cody Martin (1-1, 3.38) will start for the G-Braves, while the Mud Hens will counter with left-hander Kyle Lobstein (0-2, 5.94). Tony Schiavone will have the play-by-play call on wdun.com, GwinnettBraves.com, TuneIn Radio and the MiLB First Pitch app.

The G-Braves return home to Coolray Field on Thursday, May 1 with a 6:35 PM game against Lehigh Valley. To purchase tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com