Tommy Mendoza Stats & Scouting Report

IP	617
ERA	4.011
WHIP	1.321
BB/9	2.465
SO/9	6.243

Full name Thomas Mendoza
Born 08/18/1987 in Hialeah, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Monsignor Edward Pace
Drafted in the 5th round (163rd overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2005 (signed for $159,000).

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Mendoza is a pure projection pitcher. He was primarily a catcher until his sophomore season and was buried in a high school rotation that included White Sox supplemental first-round pick Gio Gonzalez last year. He pitched in just four high school games entering his senior season, but showed a feel for three pitches as well as enough arm strength to elicit interest in the third to fifth rounds. His fastball was clocked as high as 95 mph in an outing against Chris Dominguez and Gulliver Prep, when he went the distance, striking out 14 in a win. Mendoza's curveball has potential to be an above-average pitch, although his secondary pitches--his arsenal includes a slider, cutter and changeup--are inconsistent. His control improves when he slows his delivery down, as he tends to rush and get offline. He's mature; scouts like his makeup and aptitude. Though he's committed to Miami, he's considered signable if he goes in the top five rounds. He'll require at least a year of Rookie ball if he signs.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Mendoza set the bar high in his 2005 debut, dominating the Arizona League and throwing 10 shutout innings without a walk in high Class A. He tried to blow the ball by Midwest League hitters at the outset of the 2006 season, which led to a 2-5, 5.81 record in his first 10 starts. Once he learned he had to pitch rather than just throw hard, he went 10-1, 3.57 the rest of the way--all the more impressive considering he was the second- youngest starter in the MWL. Mendoza's lone plus pitch is a lively 89-94 mph fastball that can touch 96. It's heavy and he has learned how to add and subtract velocity from it. He'll cut his fastball and also mixes in a two-seamer. His fastball command is solid-average. His 72-76 mph curveball is average at times but is inconsistent, often morphing into a slurve, and he doesn't spot it effectively. His changeup also is below-average at this point. He needs to make mechanical adjustments, such as staying over the rubber longer, to improve his command and stuff. Mendoza should at least develop into a reliever. If his stuff tightens and his command improves, he could become a No. 3-5 starter. He's ready for high Class A at age 19.
Mendoza was primarily a catcher until his sophomore year at Miami's Monsignor Pace High, and he pitched behind White Sox supplemental first-round pick Gio Gonzalez as a junior in 2004. The Angels took Mendoza in the fifth round last June and signed him for $159,000. He was an Arizona League all-star, then jumped all the way to high Class A and pitched 10 scoreless innings. Mendoza dominated older hitters in the California League with a 92-94 mph fastball that touched 95 all summer. He has good life on his heater and controls it well. His curveball has the makings of a plus breaking ball, while his cutter, slider and changeup all have potential. He's mature beyond his years. When Mendoza tries to overpower hitters, he can leave himself vulnerable by missing up in the zone. He rushes his delivery at times and gets offline, hurting his control. After his fastball and curve, his other pitches lack consistency. His debut eased the sting of Los Angeles' failure to sign its third- (Sean O'Sullivan) and fourth-rounders (Brian Matusz). Better than expected, Mendoza will open 2006 in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Angels got just eight innings out of top draft pick Trevor Bell (supplemental first round) and didn't sign Sean O'Sullivan and Brian Matusz, their third- and fourth-round selections. They did get solid production from Mendoza, another high school pitcher they drafted in the fifth round. He made the AZL all-star team after finishing second in the league with a 1.55 ERA. Mendoza has a tall, projectable body and flashed three above-average pitches at times, including a fastball that peaked at 94 mph. He also throws a curveball and changeup. He excelled at working both sides of the plate.