Angels Sign Former Top Prospect Involved in Multiple Blockbuster Trades to MiLB Deal

They're hoping he can figure things out at the MLB level.

The Los Angeles Angels have added more catching depth via a former top prospect. According to the team's transaction log, the Halos signed catcher Francisco Mejía to a minor league deal.

Mejía, 28, began his career back in 2017 with Cleveland. The top 10 prospect who was ranked as high as No. 2 in Cleveland's organization in 2018 was traded to the San Diego Padres during the 2018 season for pitchers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber.

Then, in 2021, Mejía was traded again, this time to the Tampa Bay Rays in a blockbuster deal for Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Mejía would spend the next three seasons in Tampa, before hitting free agency this offseason.

Last year, Mejía appeared in 50 games with the Rays, slashing .227/.258/.400 with five home runs and 19 runs batted in. He just hasn't been able to figure it out at the MLB level, hitting .239 across 355 career games with 29 home runs and 118 runs batted in.

The Angels will hope Mejía can get his career back on track, and show why he was a top prospect in Cleveland's organization for so many years.