Medina played in 2015 with the rookie-level Gulf Coast Phillies. He compiled a 3–2 record, 2.98 ERA, and 1.19 WHIP with 35 strikeouts in 45+1⁄3 innings of work.[1] In 2016 with the Low–A Williamsport Crosscutters Medina had a 5–3 record, 2.92 ERA, and 1.098 WHIP, in 13 starts, and 34 strikeouts in 62+2⁄3 innings pitched.[1] He was a 2016 mid-season New York-Penn League All Star.[2]
Before the 2017 season, Baseball Prospectus ranked Medina the 91st-best minor league prospect.[1] He spent 2017 with the Single–A Lakewood BlueClaws,[3][4][5] In 22 starts, he was 4–9 with a 3.01 ERA (9th in the South Atlantic League), and 133 strikeouts (4th in the league) in 119+2⁄3 innings, averaging 10.0 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched.[6][2]
Before the 2018 season, Baseball Prospectus ranked Medina the 46th-best prospect, Baseball America ranked him the 84th-best prospect, and MLB ranked him the 86th-best prospect.[1] Medina pitched in 2018 for the High–A Clearwater Threshers, for whom he was 10-4 with a 4.12 ERA, with 123 strikeouts (3rd in the Florida State League) in 111+1⁄3 innings, averaging 9.97 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched.[7][1] His 10 wins tied for 4th in the league.[8] In July, Medina played in the All-Star Futures Game.[2] He was Pitcher of the Week on both July 22 and August 19.[2]
The Phillies added Medina to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2018, to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[9]Baseball Prospectus ranked him the 57th-best prospect in baseball, MLB Pipeline named him the 64th-best prospect, and MLB.com ranked him number 77.[10][11]Baseball America named Medina the 4th-best prospect in the Phillies minor league system.[7]
In 2019, pitching for the Reading Fightin Phils of the Double–A Eastern League, Medina was 7-7 with a 4.94 ERA in 105+2⁄3 innings over 22 appearances (21 starts), and was 2nd in the league with 14 hit batsmen.[12] He was a mid-season Eastern League All-Star.[2]
Major leagues
On September 20, 2020, Medina made his big league debut, as the Philadelphia Phillies' starting pitcher against the Toronto Blue Jays, at Citizens Bank Park.[13] Medina was charged with the loss, giving up four hits and two earned runs over four innings pitched. He was optioned down, following the game.[14]
Medina spent the majority of his 2021 season with the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, making 17 starts and registering a 4–5 record and 5.05 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 67+2⁄3 innings pitched. In 4 major league games with the Phillies, he allowed 3 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks in 7+2⁄3 innings of work.[15] On December 1, 2021, the Phillies designated Medina for assignment following the signing of Johan Camargo.[16] The decision on Medina's designation was delayed due to the 2021–22 Major League Baseball lockout, which prompted a freeze on Major League transactions.[17]
New York Mets
Following the end of the lockout, Medina was claimed off of waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates, on March 16, 2022.[18][19] On April 7, he was designated for assignment and was subsequently traded to the New York Mets in exchange for cash and optioned to the Syracuse Mets of the Triple–A International League.[20]
On June 5, he recorded his first career MLB save in the 10th inning of a 5–4 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers.[21] In 14 games for the Mets, he posted a 6.08 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 1 save in 23+2⁄3 innings of work. On September 6, Medina was designated for assignment.[22] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Syracuse on September 9.[23] He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[24]
Kia Tigers
On December 6, 2022, Medina signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.[25] He was released on December 15, to formally sign overseas.
On December 11, 2022, Medina agreed to a contract with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.[26] Medina made 12 starts for Kia in 2023, but struggled to a 2–6 record and 6.05 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 58.0 innings pitched. On July 4, 2023, he was released by the Tigers following the signing of Mario Sanchez.[27]
Washington Nationals
On February 2, 2024, Medina signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[28] In 49 appearances out of the bullpen for the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings, he compiled an 8–3 record and 3.76 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 64+2⁄3 innings pitched. Medina elected free agency following the season on November 4.[29]
Seattle Mariners
On November 11, 2024, Medina signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[30]
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