AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS RAYS

October 7, 2026

Victor Mesa, Jr.

Yankee Stadium

Tampa Bay Rays

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. How would you describe the mindset of the team coming into Yankees Stadium with a chance to clinch a spot in the ALCS today?

VICTOR MESA, JR.: Yeah. Feel that we come with the same confidence that we have in every game. We feel pretty good. I feel that we're doing the right things on the field. We hope to do it again.

I feel that the same mindset since the beginning of the season since I got here. It's amazing to have that group, and obviously we're confident because we really like the work. We are prepared and prepared for the game.

Q. What is it like to make this team in your first full major league season and make the postseason here and play against the New York Yankees?

VICTOR MESA, JR.: It feels great. The entire staff, the entire players, the support staff, they all have put full confidence in me the entire season.

There were some ups and downs at the beginning of the year when I was in Durham, and getting here at this point, but I was assured by the entire staff and the entire players just to be myself and just to give it everything that I have, and that confidence has put me in this position to really help this team succeed at this point in the year.

Q. Victor, what has allowed you to do so well against left-handed pitching and how proud are you of the ability to do that?

VICTOR MESA, JR.: Yeah. I feel that since I'm a kid, my favorite players Cubans. It was Yuli Gurriel and the other is Martín. And for here, I always like Javier Báez, Tatís, all that kind of player that I feel they can do everything.

And every time I'm in the offseason, I try to prepare myself in the best way to try to do it out on the field. So that means prepare to face lefties, righties, run, to hit, to do everything.

So I feel like since I am in the minor league, I feel very comfortable against them. My mindset with them is not try to do too much. And since there, your confidence goes up and up.

And especially how I said before, because it's not like giving me the chance to play against them as well. I've been feeling very comfortable. And like I said, I don't really care who's pitching if it's righty or lefty. I just try to up it a little bit to win and I feel that I'm doing it.

Q. Victor, you've played left and right field. Could you touch on the difference for you between the two, especially in a ballpark that's this big in left field?

VICTOR MESA, JR.: Yeah. I feel for me the important thing is the routine every day. I feel when you do that, you prepare for the game. I'm at a point right now that I feel I don't really care where I play, and I appreciate the team for giving me that confidence.

For me, it's more about the angles. You know what I mean? But how you say, we prepare and we are ready for that. We practice that and are ready to help the team. Doesn't matter which corner.

Q. There were seven All-Stars to appear in this year's MidSummer Classic from your homeland Cuba. How did that make you feel seeing that and you potentially joining them next year down the line in your career?

VICTOR MESA, JR.: Wow. Thank you. I mean, I don't know. I like to go step by step. I don't know if that's my next step.

I'm just looking at here. Whatever happen next year, I'm not -- obviously if that happen, if I do something on the field, you guys decide that. But I'm looking for what I can do right now.

Obviously I'm very proud, very Cuban, that make All-Star. I see them very close, and I know like we know each other. And I'm very proud of all of them. But just looking to do it now, hopefully we can skip next year All-Star and look for a World Series or whatever is next this year.

For me, the most important thing is tonight against them. I'm not looking for whatever is next. I appreciate for that comment.

Q. For sure. And last one, you know the road that Yandy has been on from your homeland, same as you, similar backgrounds. What have you picked up from him this year?

VICTOR MESA, JR.: A lot. It's special to see him every day. You can tell that he's different body wise and when he's in home plate. But obviously I admire him a lot. I know why he comes through.

People think that he's kind of the same, but he's not the same. Like he got a tough one, and obviously you respect that. And besides that what he do in baseball, he's incredible. His routine, the way that he prepare, the personality that he has, the people don't notice that that much is huge for us in the clubhouse. And he's got like special words for him, and I know that he's going to help us a lot during this playoff run.