2017 Acquisition: Evan Mendoza, 3B
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/28/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: short-season A-ball State College Spikes, low-A Peoria Chiefs
2017 Stats: .339/.388/.508, 259 PA, 4 HR, 3 SB, 18/48 BB/K
Info: After an impressive career at North Carolina State, Mendoza was a very intriguing option as an athletic player who could play short in a pinch but profiled as a third baseman. The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Mendoza in the 11th round in June and were very pleased with his pro debut.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Mendoza was a two-way player out of high school when he went to N.C. State, Mendoza chose to give up pitching when he lost his spot in the rotation his freshman year, but the arm still remains strong. He also shows very good first step on defense, which has allowed him to handle shortstop at times, but he’s definitely best cast as a third baseman, where he could be a plus defender.
Offensively, Mendoza is quite intriguing. He struggled through the college season before he got in tune late in the season and went on a tear. He has tremendously quick hands and generates line drives across the field with his power, frequently getting hard contact, though he could stand to loft the ball a bit more.
Mendoza does have surprising speed at his top end, though with his solid first step defensively, his first step on the bases is not great, so he’s not a tremendous base stealer, but his speed is an asset going first to third or second to home.
In all, while he’s not a guy that many would have put as their top follow in the St. Louis Cardinals system, he’s the exact type of guy whose tools the Cardinals typically maximize and get the most out of in their development system. He should open the 2018 season in full-season ball with one of the A-ball teams.
Next: CTTP's Top 150 prospects
So that is the St. Louis Cardinals top 10 prospects for 2018. Who is too high? Too low? Missing entirely from the list? Comment below!!