AJ Preller Comments-Padres-Indians Trade

Francisco Mejia-Report to AAA-El Paso
We like the bat…defensively behind the plate
Can play 3B-OF…but still as catcher
Scouted in Arizona Fall League all thru spring
22-year old switch hitting catcher
Huge arm-can swing bat-will work on defense

Mejia bat-combination of hitter and power..gap-to-gap
Good hitter could grow into power hitter
50-game hit streak-demonstrates lots ability
Switch hitter-moves ball around-does not strike out

Cleveland was adamant they had to have 2-pitchers for Mejia
Quality for quality trade.

Will take new few weeks to evaluate at El Paso
Take a look at him at AAA at catcher then decide on callups
Want him to catch everyday in PCL.

Mejia wants to catch-he is a positive-headstrong confidence-ability
He knows he is a hitter first..but knows he can catch
Any thoughts 3B-OF are down the road-want him to catch at El Paso

Austin Hedges-we think a ton of him-flashed all ability we’ve seen
This was a value trade for a premium prospect-those are hard to find
Mejia gives us lots of options at positions
We have two of best catchers under 25-years of age
This is a down the road trade

Scouts looked at comparable prospects from other clubs
We have been scouting Mejia since spring training
Spent 10-days talking with Cleveland
We valued Mejia as best prospect of all teams talked about

Brad Hand gave us consistency in his performances over 3-years
No longer skeptical how good Hand would be
Kirby Yates becomes a closer for now
Our scouts have found bullpen pitchers over the years-will do again.

Brad always had talent-hi draft pick with Marlins
Found a home working with Andy Green-Darren Balsley
Always had stuff-had to find consistent role
Grew as talent from waiver claim to All Star
We gave him opportunity..he made most of it.

Jose Castillo-Matt Strahm will have opportunities to step into roles.
We have arms in AAA-AA that will get a look over 2nd half of year
We are looking for next Brad Hand-Adam Cimber

Yes we will have questions for 40-man roster in off season.
Confident between now December will manage 40-man roster
We will have lots of discussions of deals prospects for major leaguers
Industry views our minor league level with respect.

We have fruitful system-quality players coming
Want to ber realistic-won 5-series in a row
Focus big picture goals-what we see in the system
More young players coming last two months
Big league level is what it’s all about-but we know big picture.

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