Marlins sign Cuba’s Mesa brothers

When newly signed Miami Marlins prospect Victor Victor Mesa was asked Monday how soon he’ll be in the major leagues, Derek Jeter leaned over with a smile and a word of caution for the young Cuban.

“Cuidado,” Jeter said, Spanish for “watch out.”

The futures of Mesa and his younger brother, Victor Jr., may be difficult to project, but the Marlins eagerly signed both outfielders. They left Cuba last spring to pursue major-league careers, and their contracts were announced at a news conference on Monday at Marlins Park.

Two weeks ago at the same ballpark, the brothers tried out for scouts from all 30 major-league teams.

“When I was doing the showcase, I was thinking this could be my ballpark,” Victor Jr. said through a translator. “It was beautiful. I felt like a big leaguer.”

The older Mesa was considered the top international free agent, but Marlins CEO Jeter acknowledged there’s not a lot of first-hand scouting material on the players.

“That’s why the workout here was important,” Jeter said. “We all liked what we saw.”

The attendance-challenged franchise wants a more international look under Jeter to capitalize on South Florida’s diversity and the Mesas could help with that.

“Having fans asking are we going to sign the brothers shows their popularity,” Jeter said.

And for the Mesas, the chance to play in Miami was appealing.

“It’s not a secret: there are a lot of Latinos and Cubans here,” Victor Victor said through a translator. “It feels like home here.”

The 22-year-old Victor Victor Mesa started playing in Cuba’s top league at 16. He played in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and went 3-for-7 with two doubles and three RBIS in six games.

His 17-year-old brother is a lefthanded hitter who starred for Cuba’s under-18 national team.