The MLB Players Association is reportedly investigating an agent over allegations of financial misconduct.
Yasser Mendez, an agent who was formerly with Rep 1 Baseball, is being investigated by the MLBPA over a grievance that was filed by Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas in August 2024. According to documents that were reviewed by Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, Mendez is accused of misleading Rojas and giving harmful financial advice.
Rojas claims in the grievance that Mendez advised him to take out two separate advances against future MLB contracts in 2019 and 2022 that totaled $875,000. Mendez then allegedly convinced Rojas to invest $450,000 in 4Pro, which is Mendez’s Venezuelan-based baseball academy. Mendez told Rojas that the then-minor leaguer would see returns of more than 25 percent on his investment.
Rojas also accuses Mendez of underpaying Rojas’ taxes in 2020 and not paying them at all in 2022 after Mendez told Rojas that some of the roughly $450,000 would be used to cover tax liabilities.
The grievance states that the advice from Mendez was “intentionally, recklessly, or negligently wrong for Rojas.”
Rep 1 Baseball was acquired by Klutch Sports in 2023. A lawyer for Klutch told The Athletic that Mendez was terminated in 2024, though he did not provide a reason. The attorney also said that “neither Klutch nor any of its employees had knowledge of the alleged conduct described in this article.”
Andrew Latack, a lawyer who represents Klutch and Rep 1 Baseball, said in a response to the grievance that Rojas has tried to extort the agency out of $7.5 million. The response claimed Mendez discouraged Rojas from taking out advances against future earnings but that Rojas “voluntarily and eagerly participated in the investments.”
The Athletic reports that at least one other player, New York Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza, took out loans against future earnings to invest in Mendez’s academy while he was represented by Mendez. It is unclear if those investments are part of the MLBPA’s investigation.
The allegations against Mendez are similar to allegations that Fernando Tatis Jr. made in a recent lawsuit that was filed by the San Diego Padres star.
Rojas is in his third MLB season with the Phillies. He is batting .226 through 63 games this year.
