Luis Mendoza

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #24 prospect in 2008
  Rangers scout Russ Ardelina recommended Mendoza after seeing him pitch in the Red Sox system, and Texas acquired him in a deal for Bryan Corey in July, 2006. Boston had released him in 2005 and picked him back up off waivers after just two starts in the Padres system. He spent most of 2007 in Double-A, leading the Texas League in complete games and finishing second in wins before earning a September callup to the majors, where he earned his first win with five innings of one-run ball against the Orioles in his second start. Mendoza relies heavily upon his low-90s sinker, which tops out at 93-94 and induces plenty of ground balls when he's right. He has a rubber arm and a durable frame with a barrel chest and long limbs. Mendoza also throws strikes with a slurvy breaking ball and a changeup, but neither is a swing-and-miss pitch, and he does not get many strikeouts, making him very reliant on strong infield defense. His ceiling is limited, but he has a shot to crack the Rangers' Opening Day roster as a back-of-the-rotation starter or a swingman.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #11 prospect in 2004
  Mendoza's fastball has steadily improved since he signed in 2000. His velocity was 83-85 mph at that point, improved to 87-91 in 2002 and was 91-94 in 2003. He's one of the most coveted Red Sox pitchers in trade talks. Now Mendoza must achieve similar improvement with his curveball and changeup. They're the culprits responsible for him striking out less than one batter every two innings last year despite his plus fastball. His curve is a lazy, offspeed breaking ball that's effective about one of every three times he throws it. He does show feel for the changeup and for pitching overall. And while Mendoza hasn't blown hitters away yet, they haven't made good contact against him either. He throws strikes and has an easy, consistent delivery that allows him to pitch to the bottom of the strike zone. It's hard to drive his fastball because it sinks and bores in on righthanders. Mendoza is intelligent and learned English quickly. He lost two months of development time when a line drive broke his right foot, though he did return with a strong performance in August. He'll continue to work on his secondary pitches in high Class A this year.