The Numbers: Stats as of date of write-up (for up-to-date stats use stat link above)
Year
AVG
OBP
SLG
AB
H
2B
3B
HR
BB
SO
SB/CS
2008
.285
.364
.515
291
83
8
1
19
19
97
6/5
2009
.331
.439
.669
121
40
5
0
12
15
34
1/2
Scouted: March 22, 2009 at Loyola Marymount (CA) (in attendance)
Frame: Mendonca has a thick frame with a strong, athletic build. There isn't much projection remaining, but he doesn't really need any. At 6'1", 200 pounds Mendonca has a pro body for the hot corner already. He has enough strength to produce easy power.
Swing: Load Mendonca gets to a solid weight distribution in his load, but does so while adding length to his swing by bringing his hands back and down a bit. He taps his lead toe to the ground to start his timing mechanism, while closing his hips ever-so-much (helping to build torque in his mid-section).
Stride Mendonca's stride is really just a dropping of the heel from his toe tap, which is enough to trigger the swing. Though his lower-half is efficient, he continues to add length to his swing by drawing his hands further back and down. Additionally, he ties his hands to a point in space, rather than to his body, meaning as his trunk/torso begin to rotate, his hands separate ever more (creating still more distance to the ball).
Swing As you might guess, there is some length to his swing, and his hand-action creates holes that can be exploited by better pitching. He keeps a solid plane and does a decent job of keeping the bat in the hit zone (as much as his lead-in will allow for). He comes with an uppercut that produces good loft and allows him to easily elevate when he centers the ball on the bat head. Finally, his strong mid-section helps him to generate above-average bat speed, adding to his raw power.
Contact At contact, Mendonca maintains his balance and maximizes his force at impact with a straight line running from his helmet down his torso, thigh and out of his knee. He does a good job of staying under control, which minimizes the amount of force lost during his weight transfer and torso rotation. The end result is easy plus power when he squares-up. At times he can come around the ball and jerk it to the pull side.
Follow-through Mendonca keeps his balance clean through the end of his swing, finishing with a two-handed follow-through, up and easy. He can occasionally fall-off, but generally finishes true and is adequately clean out of the box.
Swing Summary Though Mendonca creates big time force and plus raw pop with his swing, it can work against him making consistent hard contact. Currently, he can punish mistakes or fastballs in fastball counts, but his holes and the length in his swing could present obstacles to his success at the next level. His impressive bat speed should help make up for some of these deficiencies, and while he still strikes out about two times per walk, he has improved his contact rate since last year and has shown the ability to make adjustments during games (if not during at bats).
Fielding: After dazzling in last year's College World Series, and flashing inconsistencies over the summer, Mendonca has returned to form this 2009 season. He ranges well to both sides and is capable of charging, relying on soft hands and a good transfer. He has plenty of arm for all of the throws in the book, and sets himself well on a strong lower-half. Both his glove and his arm grade out at plus or better at most times, making him a solid bet to provide good defensive value as a pro at the hot corner.
Grading Out (as of date written):
Hitting
Power
Speed
Defense
Arm
40/45
60/65
40
60
60/65
Nicks Notes: Mendonca has big time raw power, a big time arm and smooth actions at third. The rest of the package carries some risks -- primarily whether or not he'll make enough contact for his power to play at the next level. His stock could vary greatly depending on how successful his drafting team believes it can be in tightening-up his swing and tapping into that raw power. His defense will help his case, as would his continuing to cut down on his strikeout rate. Perhaps most importantly, he can continue to show an improved understanding of the strikezone and discipline in his approach. It's unlikely Mendonca will ever hit for a high average, but with some adjustments he could provide above-average power and defense at third, ideally profiling as slightly more than a three-outcome third baseman with plus arm and defense. A team that believes in his skillset could nab him as early as the late or supplemental first round.
Current Draft Board Status: Projected Positions: 3B Suggested Slot: Late First Round to Second Round (Depot Group A)
but his holes and the length in his swing could present obstacles to his success at the next level. His impressive bat speed should help make up for some of these deficiencies, and while he still strikes out about two times per walk, he has improved his contact rate since last year and has shown the ability to make adjustments during games (if not during at bats).
