Position: OF
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 180 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 01/28/2003
Country: Dominican Republic
Signed: International Free Agent, 2019 (Yankees)
How Acquired: Rule 5 Draft, Minor League Phase, 2024 (from Yankees)
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2026
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Yankees signed Mendez back in 2019, but he has yet to appear in full-season ball. He’s shown good power and patience, but it’s all come with high strikeout rates. He appears to be strictly a corner outfielder. The Pirates selected him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
2020-24
After missing the 2020 season, Mendez spent two years in the DSL. He had similar years; in fact, his OPS actually fell the second year, from .774 to .715. He hit a dozen home runs over the two seasons, but he struck out in 38% of his plate appearances. He did walk at a 16% clip.
The Yankees moved Mendez up to the Florida Complex League and he was there for both 2023 and 2024. The first year he hit 293/363/424 and struck out 31% of the time. The second year he put up big numbers, batting 292/405/569, good for fourth in the league in slugging and eighth in OPS. He managed to get his K rate down to 27%.
Stats
Transactions
December 6, 2019: Signed by the New York Yankees as an international free agent.
December 11, 2024: Selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft from the New York Yankees by the Pittsburgh Pirates.