Cristian Mena Explained

Cristian Mena
Team:Arizona Diamondbacks
Number:64
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:21 December 2002
Birth Place:San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:July 3
Debutyear:2024
Debutteam:Arizona Diamondbacks
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:July 3, 2024
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:0–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:12.00
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:2
Teams:

Cristian José Mena (born December 21, 2002) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.

Career

Chicago White Sox

Mena signed with the Chicago White Sox as an international free agent on July 2, 2019.[1] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] He made his professional debut in 2021 with the rookie–level Arizona Complex League White Sox, logging a 7.82 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 13 games (12 starts).[3]

Mena began the 2022 campaign with the Single–A Kannapolis Intimidators before later being promoted to the High–A Winston-Salem Dash and Double–A Birmingham Barons.[4] In 24 starts split between the three affiliates, he accumulated a 2–6 record and 3.80 ERA with 126 strikeouts across innings pitched.[5]

Mena split the 2023 season between Birmingham and the Triple–A Charlotte Knights. In 27 total starts, he compiled a cumulative 8–7 record and 4.85 ERA with 156 strikeouts across innings of work.[6] On November 14, 2023, the White Sox added Mena to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[7]

Arizona Diamondbacks

The White Sox traded Mena to the Arizona Diamondbacks on February 3, 2024, in exchange for Dominic Fletcher.[8] He was optioned to the Triple–A Reno Aces to begin the 2024 season.[9] On July 3, Mena was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10] He made his major league debut the same day against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing four runs on four hits with two strikeouts over three innings.[11] On August 2, it was announced that Mena would likely miss the remainder of the season after suffering a right forearm strain.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: White Sox sign five international free agents. MLB.com.
  2. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. July 19, 2024. mlb.com. en.
  3. Web site: Cristian Mena Stats & Scouting Report. July 19, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  4. Web site: White Sox prospect Cristian Mena 'never afraid' as he emerges sooner than expected . The Athletic . 2023-03-28.
  5. Web site: Cristian Mena Authors Surprising Breakout For White Sox. Scot. Gregor. www.baseballamerica.com. October 7, 2022 .
  6. Web site: Cristian Mena - Stats - Pitching. July 19, 2024. fangraphs.com. en.
  7. Web site: White Sox select contracts of Jake Eder and Cristian Mena. July 19, 2024. mlb.com. en.
  8. News: Passan . Jeff . Chicago White Sox deal away Gregory Santos, Cristian Mena . February 4, 2024 . ESPN.com . February 3, 2024.
  9. Web site: Diamondbacks' Cristian Mena: Sent to minor-league camp. March 11, 2024. cbssports.com. en.
  10. Web site: D-Backs Recall Cristian Mena For MLB Debut. July 19, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  11. Web site: Diamondbacks recall Cristian Mena for MLB debut vs. Dodgers. July 19, 2024. espn.com. en.
  12. Web site: Diamondbacks Remove Paul Sewald From Closer Role. August 4, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. en.