Mejia’s historic hitting streak reaches 40

Indians prospect Francisco Mejia became just the 16th player in Minor League Baseball history to hit in 40 consecutive games when he singled in his third at-bat for Class A Lynchburg at Winston-Salem on Thursday night. Mejia, ranked No. 6 on the Indians’ Top 30 Prospects list, grounded out in his first at-bat and struck out in his second trip to the plate.

On an 0-1 count, Mejia chopped a two-hopper in front of the mound. Dash pitcher Zach Thompson fielded it cleanly and threw to first, but Mejia and was ruled to have beaten the throw on a bang-bang play to extend his streak, which is the longest in the Minors since James McOwen hit in 45 straight for High Desert in 2009.

Entering Thursday’s game, Mejia had posted a .395/.419/.637 slash line, with 10 doubles, two triples, eight homers and 36 RBIs during his streak, which began over two months ago, on May 27.

Longest Minor League hitting streaks Player Games Year Joe Wilhoit 69 1919 Joe DiMaggio 61 1933 Roman Mejias 55 1954 Otto Pahlman 50 1922 Jack Ness 49 1915 Harry Chozen 49 1945 James McOwen 45 2009 Brandon Watson 43 2007 Eddie Marshall 43 1935 Orlando Moreno 43 1947 Howie Bedell 43 1961 Jack Lelivelt 42 1912 Herbert Chapman 42 1950 Francisco Mejia 40 2016 Ducky Detweiler 40 1942 Frosty Kennedy 40 1953

The MiLB hit streak record is 69, set by Joe Wilhoit in 1919. Joe DiMaggio, whose big league record hit streak of 56 games is being celebrated for its 75th anniversary this season, had a 61-game Minor League hit streak in 1933, second-longest all-time.

• Play Beat the Streak

Perhaps most impressive in Mejia’s current run is how he’s hurdled major obstacles that could’ve potentially led to an hitless night.

Mejia was promoted to Lynchburg 24 games into the streak, and he has had three layoffs of four days …

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