NY Mets minor leaguer trolls himself after getting traded to the Phillies yesterday

A small New York Mets trade reportedly took place yesterday with minor leaguer Josh Hejka going to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for a big wad of cash—or at least the consideration of some. Far from a household name outside of Villa de Hejka, a fictional town in Sweden with a heavy Spanish influence, the now reportedly former Mets minor league pitcher had a little fun upon the announcement of the trade, tweeting: “Can’t believe @JeffPassan wasn’t on the Hejka for a bag of balls trade first smh”

Hejka is a 27-year-old longtime Mets minor leaguer who began his journey with the organization back in 2019 after playing college ball for Johns Hopkins. Funny and intelligent on social media, his self-trolling was nothing new. He has been self-deprecating plenty in the past. His Twitter is a mix of deep dives into pitching mechanics and discussion on keeping players healthy as well as the kind of jokes that have us convinced there’s a timeline out there where he’s in the Mets bullpen as their right-handed Jerry Blevins.

When the Brooklyn Cyclones celebrated him breaking a record for most appearances, he joked “Being a 27-year-old in High A finally pays off #buildastatue”

What about Josh Hejka the player?

Hejka hasn’t been able to find much success outside of pitching in Brooklyn, a team he has pitched at least one game for in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024. His 2.43 ERA is impressive but hasn’t translated into the higher levels of the minor leagues. It’s at 5.19 in Double-A and a far more frightening 10.13 in a limited sample in Triple-A.

The Phillies must’ve seen something unique about him to consider adding him to their organization even at the cost of what Hejka suggests will merely end up being a bag of balls. A sidewinding pitcher, his funky delivery helps him stand out from most warm bodies on the farm.

Most Mets fans will spend today celebrating the arrival of Pete Alonso back to the organization. Those who’ve followed the minor league system closely might grieve a little over the loss of Hejka’s fun personality. Heck, for all we know, those same cash considerations the Phillies gave the Mets might’ve been what got Alonso over the finish line as Hejka himself hinted at with his tongue firmly in the cheek.