Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | STL | 3B/SS/2B/1B | 36 | 35 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 | 45 | 30 | 70 | 60 | 45 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Matt Thompson
Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 11
RuleV: 2020
Physical Description: He plays much smaller than his frame. Naked eye says he should have some pop but that's not his game. Average build that lacks physical projection, already has solid frame.
Hit: Contact first approach, but to the point where it sacrifices driving the ball. Excellent plate coverage and a pest in the box that is difficult to strikeout due to his tough two-strike approach. He's going to get challenged at the big league level though. Level swing, handles the bat well. Good bunter. Really good hit and run guy. Your dad would love him. Grade: 45
Power: He's going to get challenged by pitchers because they can knock the bat out of his hands. There might be 40-grade raw pop here, but his in game power is nearly at the bottom of the scale. All the good he does at the plate will be completely undone at the big league level due to the lack of power. We've seen this happen to many prospects before him. Most of his extra base hits are well placed balls down the line. Grade: 30
Field: Mendoza is the best defensive infielder in the organization, and might be one of the top defenders on the dirt in all of minor league baseball. He covered a lot of ground at third base and the Cardinals had him playing shortstop in January at instructs. If he can play a strong shortstop changes the profile, and the weak offensive output becomes less of an issue. He has played primarily third but has also spent some time at first base as well as second. Lacks the true footspeed for the shortstop position but he can make it work due to his angles and footwork. Grade: 70
Arm: It's a plus arm for Mendoza. Capable of making any throw. Accurate and strong. Different motions but was a pitcher briefly at NC State. More than enough arm for anywhere on the diamond. Grade: 60
Run: Not fast, but is quick. Speed tool shows up more defensively for Mendoza. Good angles. Quick first step but reaches max speed pretty quickly. Grade: 45
Overall: Lacks the offensive skills to be anything other than a utility man, but if he can play a strong shortstop, which I believe he can, it changes the profile. He's an off the charts makeup guy and likely has a future in coaching or player development if he wants it as well.
OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Low
