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The future is soon: Francisco Mejia expected to make impact for Cleveland Indians in 2018

The 22-year-old is the top-ranked prospect in the Indians organization.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Francisco Mejia's locker is located right next to the door of the clubhouse inside the Cleveland Indians' training complex in Goodyear, Ariz. It's the first one you notice upon entering and the last one you see before you leave.

In some ways, Mejia's locker at spring training is symbolic of his place in the Indians' organization.

The 22-year-old speaks English well enough to conduct interviews -- but prefers to talk to reporters alongside the team's translator. He's getting closer to choosing his own jersey number, although the digits on his nameplate keep changing, from 33 to 17 to 45 and now 27.

"They keep on changing my number," Mejia told WKYC in Goodyear this week. "I can't do anything [about it], so I just take the number they give me."

His next number with the Tribe, however, will likely be more permanent.

As the Indians near the midway point of Spring Training, their Opening Day roster is beginning to come more clearly into focus. And in all likelihood, there won't be a spot for Mejia, despite him being the top-ranked prospect in the Cleveland organization and No. 1 catcher prospect in all of baseball.

Orlando Ramirez, USA Today Images

For the moment, the Indians appear set at Mejia's current position, thanks to the defensive-minded platoon of Roberto Perez and Yan Gomes. Last season, Cleveland ranked first in all of baseball with a caught stealing percentage of .425 -- a unique complement to the Indians' top-flight pitching staff.

Mejia spent last Fall Ball playing third base, which is currently occupied by All-Star and MVP finalist Jose Ramirez in the Indians' lineup. Outfield and designated hitter also remain possibilities, but barring a trade or significant injury, Columbus will likely be the Dominican Republic product's new home at the end of camp.

That's just fine with Mejia, who spent the bulk of last season in Double-A Akron before a late-season call-up to Cleveland.

"I feel really good and happy to be here with my teammates," the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Mejia said. "And I'm thankful to be here."

But eventually, Mejia will make that drive up I-71. And it will likely come sooner rather than later -- regardless of what position he's being asked to play.

"Offensively, he's so advanced," Francona said of Mejia earlier this week. "If something happens in April, May or June, he's probably our best minor league hitter. If he's able to play another position, does that speed up his ascent to the major leagues?"

An early season call-up would put Mejia on a similar schedule as a former Indians top prospect, who happens to share his first name. It was 2015 when Cleveland called up Francisco Lindor, who didn't take long to transform into the team's franchise player.

Rob Tringali, Getty Images

If there's anybody who can understand the pressure of being a highly touted mid-season call-up in Cleveland, it's Lindor. After debuting on June 14, 2015 for a 29-33 ball club, the now-2-time All-Star helped lead the Indians to a 55-44 finish to the season, hitting for a team-best .313 average to go along with 12 home runs and 51 runs batted in.

"Expect yourself to be up here helping us," Lindor said of his advice for Mejia. "It's all about helping us win and making sure he's always ready to contribute."

For now, Mejia's immediate future remains in Columbus, where he has yet to even play after jumping straight from Akron to Cleveland as an expanded roster call-up. But after hitting for a .500 average to go along with a home run and 2 RBIs in his first week of spring training, it likely won't be long until we see him back in an Indians uniforms -- this time, with a permanent number.

"He's ready to be in the big leagues," Lindor said. "And he's going to help us win."

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