Could Hendry Mendez Make Minnesota Twins' 2026 Opening Day Roster?

[Cody Schoenmann]

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge

Amidst the flurry that was the Minnesota Twins' 2025 Trade Deadline mass exodus came a mid-impact trade that sent right-handed outfielder Harrison Bader to the Philadelphia Phillies for left-handed hitting outfield prospect Hendry Mendez and right-handed throwing starting pitching prospect Geremy Villoria. Similar to how he performed with Minnesota, Bader continued to impress at the plate with Philadelphia, hitting .305/.361/.463 with 54 hits, five home runs, and a 129 wRC+ over 194 plate appearances while providing plus defense in all three outfield spots for the postseason-bound Phillies.

That being the case, Bader will likely secure a substantial contract this offseason, netting the 31-year-old significantly more money and years than the one-year, $6.5 million contract he signed with Minnesota last February. On the flip side, Mendez (the headliner in Minnesota's return package) performed exceptionally after joining Minnesota's minor-league system, hitting .324/.461/.450 with 36 hits, three doubles, three home runs, and a 160 wRC+ over 142 plate appearances. The 21-year-old has also demonstrated a plus eye at the plate, generating 27 walks to 21 strikeouts and a well-above league-average 14.8% strikeout rate.

Possessing a contact-skilled profile, Mendez has excelled at all minor league levels since signing with the Milwaukee Brewers out of the Dominican Republic, entering the 2020 season. Despite being with his third organization, the 22-year-old is a highly regarded prospect, many prospect pundits believe could blossom into a high-average, high-OBP major league hitter in the near future. Recently being revealed as part of Minnesota's Arizona Fall League (AFL) roster, Mendez appears to be on the verge of making it to "The Show," potentially as part of the club's 2026 Opening Day roster.

Being Rule 5 Draft eligible this upcoming December, Mendez is a near-lock to earn a 40-man roster spot. That being the case, earning a spot on next season's Opening Day roster would be a seamless roster move, given the club wouldn't need to remove anyone from the 40-man roster to reward the former Phillies prospect a spot. Still, possessing a 40-man roster spot alone won't be enough to make the Opening Day roster. Yet, him continuing to hit at an above-average rate while developing at a specific position could. That position is first base.

According to reporting from MLB.com's Matthew Leach, Minnesota has Mendez taking reps at first base, and despite not yet playing the position in a game, he could make his debut at the position in the AFL. Like top prospects Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Gabriel Gonzalez, Mendez making the club's 2026 Opening Day roster appears far-fetched at the moment. Yet, given all four prospects likely possessing 40-man roster spots come Spring Training, there is reason to believe Mendez could join one or multiple of the club's top prospects in the majors early next season, especially given how thin the parent club's depth at first base presently is.

Now, Twins decision-makers electing to sign a veteran first baseman like Josh Naylor or Rhys Hoskins, or trading for a more cost-controlled, major league-ready option this offseason, would make speculation surrounding Mendez's likelihood of making the club's Opening Day roster moot. Yet, if the spending-restricted front office elects not to address the position over the offseason, Mendez (given his age, upside, and positional flexibility) could have the inside track on other internal options to become Kody Clemens's primary first base partner early next season.

Despite earning a promotion to Triple-A this season, former first-round pick Aaron Sabato has struggled at the plate with St. Paul, yet again causing doubt surrounding his ability to produce at the major league level despite breaking out at Double-A earlier this season. Right-handed hitting utility player Kyler Fedko has hit well at Triple-A this season (115 wRC+ over 187 plate appearances) while spending time at first base. Yet, given that he is 26 years old and hasn't demonstrated sustainable success in the high minors until this season, Minnesota would be misguided in handing him a 26-man roster spot. Also, Mendez is much more likely to possess a 40-man roster spot over Sabato and Fedko, further solidifying his chances of earning an Opening Day roster spot over them.

Mendez, being a left-handed-hitting bat who primarily plays in the corner outfield, would make him a redundant skillset on Minnesota's 26-man roster, even if Trevor Larnach is non-tendered or traded this offseason. His redundant skillset is the driving factor in him needing to demonstrate meaningful progress at first base heading into Spring Training. Yet, if the 22-year-old can stand out at first base in the AFL while continuing to demonstrate the contact-skilled profile that made him a priority addition during the Trade Deadline, there is reason to believe Mendez could quickly become a fixture in Minnesota's next position player core, potentially as part of next season's Opening Day roster.

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[NYCTK]

No.

I know fans are impatient, but there's no reason to even discuss this really. This sort of uber-hype over pretty good but ultimately run-of-the-mill prospects is how fans get disappointed about prospects. Mendez is a bat-only prospect with a AA OPS under 850. He's not a top 100 prospect, and not particularly close to being one. 

2026 is going to be rough, but that doesn't mean fans should hope the Twins rush their prospects to the big leagues. 

I put the chance of him being an opening day starter at about 1% and that still seems too high. 

[tony&rodney]

Mendez is young and has shown he can hit. There is not much speed from what I saw and he is being moved to first base for flexible playing time options. The outfield is a challenge for him. Maybe something works out. MLB.com lists him as the #25 prospect for the Twins, while Fangraphs left him off lists in the last couple of years. Watching a couple of dozen plate appearances that Mendez had with Wichita, nothing really stood out except he gets the bat to the ball and that is worth something.

Hope is all the Twins have for 2026, so I hope Mendez does well.

[Dman]

I think it is a long shot that he makes the team out of spring training.  He hits the ball on the ground a lot and if he is moving to first they'll want him to get more reps there before moving him to the Twins.  Id say St Paul to start and depending on how things go for Mendez and the Twins by June he could be an option.

Still a hot hitting spring training could change some minds.  It is a nice profile and it looks like more power is coming especially if he can lift the ball more. It's an exciting bat, but I think it will take more time.  We'll see I guess.

[DJL44]

It is probably a good idea to move Mendez to 1B. He's not a fast runner and doesn't appear to be high enough on the depth chart defensively to get playing time in the outfield. First base is quite thin in the Twins system with non-prospects like Aaron Sabato, Nate Baez and Peyton Carr getting the most starts at that position. Billy Amick is the only player you would call a 1B prospect. Mendez should be able to get a LOT of playing time at 1B.

It is probably a bad idea to make him the Opening Day 1B with no backup plan other than Kody Clemens. They should absolutely sign a veteran 1B (there are many options) to fill that position next season. Mendez can play in St. Paul and continue to develop.

[FlyingFinn]

No, he will not make the Twins opening day roster. In fact, he will not get added to the Twins 40 man roster this winter.

If anyone is jumping from AA to the majors, it would be Culpepper.

[jmlease1]

13 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

No, he will not make the Twins opening day roster. In fact, he will not get added to the Twins 40 man roster this winter.

If anyone is jumping from AA to the majors, it would be Culpepper.

You think the Twins will let him get exposed to the Rule 5? A bit risky, that. There's enough chaff to be cleared that I suspect he gets protected.

Regardless, I don't think he's going to be on the Opening Day roster. He should be learning 1B in AAA and proving that he can hit enough to be worth calling up. He's also probably not a fit to partner with LH Kody Clemens, though Mendez did hit LHP just fine in 2025 (in a small sample).

I think moving him to 1B now is a good idea. But Mendez responded very well to his first turn in AA and played well in both Philly & MN. Seems like little reason to send him back to Wichita, especially if he plays well in the AFL. But seems like little chance he'll start the season in MLB.

[DocBauer]

Not a game player at 1B yet and not a game played above AA. I think there's budding power potential and he's definitely got some solid bat to ball skills. But last I knew he still had around a 60% ground ball rate. That isn't going to cut it going forward. So there's plenty of work to be done. But there is some potential.

Hopefully they make a veteran addition ar 1B that pays off with a large sized bat and acceptable defense.

But if they stick with youth only, Roden has plenty of 1B experience and projects as a much better overall hitter than Clemens if his MILB numbers can start to translate. For that matter Fedko has some 1B experience and good results at AAA, even if it's only a couple of months. Both also offer up OF versatility. Both could be better overall bats than Clemens. 

[FlyingFinn]

3 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

You think the Twins will let him get exposed to the Rule 5? A bit risky, that. There's enough chaff to be cleared that I suspect he gets protected.

Yes, I do. Every year, people overrate how many hitters get taken in the Rule 5 draft. Teams love pitching in that draft. Olivares at A ball is much more likely to get selected than Mendez. I think the Twins believe he won't get selected and that they can add others to the 40 man to replace the agreed upon chaff.

[SF Twins Fan]

I think it's far more likely a player like Fedko makes the team and platoons with Clemens than promoting Mendez straight from AA.

Also, I can't see the Twins not adding him to the 40 man this offseason.  They're going to risk losing a player they just traded for, for basically nothing.

[bunsen82]

2 hours ago, NYCTK said:

No.

I know fans are impatient, but there's no reason to even discuss this really. This sort of uber-hype over pretty good but ultimately run-of-the-mill prospects is how fans get disappointed about prospects. Mendez is a bat-only prospect with a AA OPS under 850. He's not a top 100 prospect, and not particularly close to being one. 

 

A run of the mill prospect?  His hit skills are as good as Gabriel Gonzalez.  His issue has been 2 fold, a lack of power and too many ground balls.  He had 11 home runs this year.  A jump from 3 the prior year.  He is 21 years old.  He is definitely in the territory of getting to 15-20 home runs per a year as he matures.  .324/.461/.450 slash line  for the Twins since the trade.  Please name more than 10 players that have had a better slash line than that in AA since it is run of the mill.   I still would prefer for him to remain as an outfield prospect but would be completely fine as a DH or 1st base prospect.   He continues to try to lift the ball more which includes a greater percentage of HR.  He had something like a 60% ground ball rate.   I still don't think he is ready for the Twins,  but he is one of 5 prospects that I think could debut during 2026 and 2027 that would provide a much better hit tool than the prospects we have been turning over.  

Jenkins, Gonzalez, Rodriguez, Culpepper and Mendez.  Add in Fedko for insurance.  These are exactly the type of hitters our lineup has been in a drought of.  The issue is 5 of those are outfielders.   Yes it gives you insurance but someone is going to have to move to a different position or get traded.  At the very list Mendez has significantly improved his prospect status since the trade deadline.  I wouldn't be opposed to a quick turn around flip on him either.    

[old nurse]

Bader has a 10 million mutual option for next. A bad 3 year stretch before this year and being 32 might be a deterrent to the large contract. If he likes the Phillies and they like him I could understand him agreeing to stay for 10 million. 

 

The Mendez angle to the story is just the usual clickbait. As far as 40 man spot goes, there are at least a dozen that could be let go off the 40 man Given that they need to add a half dozen bullpen arms they can’t keep everyone that is rule 5 eligible. There is sure to be plenty of those types of articles soon enough 

[bunsen82]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

No, he will not make the Twins opening day roster. In fact, he will not get added to the Twins 40 man roster this winter.

If anyone is jumping from AA to the majors, it would be Culpepper.

He will 100% get added to the 40 man.  Now he could be turned around and be a quick flip.  I could definitely see us using him to get a very good reliever for next year.   He was the primary asset in the Bader trade.  You are not going to allow a player that just had a .460 OBP in AA to get immediately poached.   

[Doctor Gast]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Mendez is young and has shown he can hit. There is not much speed from what I saw and he is being moved to first base for flexible playing time options. The outfield is a challenge for him. Maybe something works out. MLB.com lists him as the #25 prospect for the Twins, while Fangraphs left him off lists in the last couple of years. Watching a couple of dozen plate appearances that Mendez had with Wichita, nothing really stood out except he gets the bat to the ball and that is worth something.

Hope is all the Twins have for 2026, so I hope Mendez does well.

Mendez isn't good in the OF, so they move him to 1B, He doesn't hit HRs, so he doesn't fit the 1B profile & doesn't run fast. With a broken Miranda, we really need a 1Bman but IMO, Mendez isn't the guy, at least not now.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Why would the Twins do that?  They have at least TWO left-handed OF prospects that are well ahead of him in the system, plus a right-handed one (that actually is a better fit). IF they decide he’s a first baseman, AND he makes the transition well, AND he continues to hit, AND the Twins don’t lock up first base in another way, PERHAPS he will appear sometime in 2026, but surely not opening day.  If he does, it means that the Twins have completely cheaped out, AND it probably wouldn’t be great for his development.  

If he has a decent AFL season, move him to 1B (and hope he develops more power) and put him at AAA.  Let’s see what he can learn before we get too excited about his debut.  

[LA Vikes Fan]

4 hours ago, Dman said:

I think it is a long shot that he makes the team out of spring training.  He hits the ball on the ground a lot and if he is moving to first they'll want him to get more reps there before moving him to the Twins.  Id say St Paul to start and depending on how things go for Mendez and the Twins by June he could be an option.

Still a hot hitting spring training could change some minds.  It is a nice profile and it looks like more power is coming especially if he can lift the ball more. It's an exciting bat, but I think it will take more time.  We'll see I guess.

This seems the most likely. Start him out as the AAA 1B and se if he can play the position. That may leave us with Clemens as the Opening Day 1B, which sucks, but has the best chance of working out in the long run. I'd like to see them also give Fedko a shot at 1B. Well, what I'd really like is for Naylor to be signed but at the $15m plus a year that Sportrac thinks he's worth, I don't see that happening.  Same for Ryan O'Hearn at $11M plus. 

[NYCTK]

17 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

A run of the mill prospect?

Yes.

And I don't mean that as a derogatory. He's not a Top 100 prospect. He's not a 45 grade prospect.

I do like him, especially as return for a rental player, but let's not make him something that he's not. 

1 hour ago, bunsen82 said:

Please name more than 10 players that have had a better slash line than that in AA since it is run of the mill. 

He was 17th in wRC+ for all AA players under the age of 25 with at least 250 PAs. Really impressive! But because he's offering no defensive value, also not good enough to be truly exciting. But plenty to be intriguing! 

 

[IndianaTwin]

Speaking of Rule 5, where can I find a list of Twins prospects who would be Rule 5 eligible if not added to the 40-man? 

[Dman]

5 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Speaking of Rule 5, where can I find a list of Twins prospects who would be Rule 5 eligible if not added to the 40-man? 

I don't know where you go to find a complete list, but I am such a prospect nerd I keep my own mainly based on Fangraphs info.  :Likely not complete but should give you an idea.  I think the top 6 are for sure's and you could argue Cardenas, Rosario and MaCleod belong as well, but that's a lot of names as is.

Connor Prielipp

Kendry Rojas

Andrew Morris

CJ Culpepper

John Klein

Gabriel Gonzalez

Hendry Mendez

Christian MacLeod

Kyler Fedko

Kala'I Rosario

Jose Olivaros

Noah Cardenas

Corey Lewis

Ricardo Olivar

Jaylen Nowlin

Anthony Prato

Alejandro Hidalgo

Cody Lawyeryson

Misael Urbina

Patrick Winkel

[bunsen82]

32 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

Yes.

And I don't mean that as a derogatory. He's not a Top 100 prospect. He's not a 45 grade prospect.

I do like him, especially as return for a rental player, but let's not make him something that he's not. 

He was 17th in wRC+ for all AA players under the age of 25 with at least 250 PAs. Really impressive! But because he's offering no defensive value, also not good enough to be truly exciting. But plenty to be intriguing! 

 

You took his entire numbers and still top 17.  I asked for his Twins slash line.  I have seen a couple other places that have said the bat is good enough to be a top 50 prospect.  Now he won't get there because he has not had the power for several years, this is more a breakout.  Even still the bat should play in AAA as well.   He is a replica of Gabriel Gonzalez (who should be a top 100 prospect now) and that is a good thing.   Defense is lacking a bit with both but you have 2 elite bats that are willing to take pitches,  can put good contact on pitches and rarely strike out.   Mix them in with a few power hitters and behind a couple speedsters and the lineup could be drastically better.  

[bunsen82]

NM

[NYCTK]

17 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

2 elite bats

I'm gonna go back to my original comment. They're good, intriguing bats. And I'm very happy to watch them grow. But they are NOT elite bats. This level of hype is why a bunch of people were shocked that Miranda sucked. 

I'm just trying to set reasonable expectations for both the players and the fans sake. 

[Cody Schoenmann]

41 minutes ago, Dman said:

I don't know where you go to find a complete list, but I am such a prospect nerd I keep my own mainly based on Fangraphs info.  :Likely not complete but should give you an idea.  I think the top 6 are for sure's and you could argue Cardenas, Rosario and MaCleod belong as well, but that's a lot of names as is.

Connor Prielipp

Kendry Rojas

Andrew Morris

CJ Culpepper

John Klein

Gabriel Gonzalez

Hendry Mendez

Christian MacLeod

Kyler Fedko

Kala'I Rosario

Jose Olivaros

Noah Cardenas

Corey Lewis

Ricardo Olivar

Jaylen Nowlin

Anthony Prato

Alejandro Hidalgo

Cody Lawyeryson

Misael Urbina

Patrick Winkel

Laweryson already has a 40-man spot. Also, I mostly agree with the seven prospects you’re protecting. I could see them choosing not to protect Klein. 

[IndianaTwin]

57 minutes ago, Dman said:

I don't know where you go to find a complete list, but I am such a prospect nerd I keep my own mainly based on Fangraphs info.  :Likely not complete but should give you an idea.  I think the top 6 are for sure's and you could argue Cardenas, Rosario and MaCleod belong as well, but that's a lot of names as is.

Connor Prielipp

Kendry Rojas

Andrew Morris

CJ Culpepper

John Klein

Gabriel Gonzalez

Hendry Mendez

Christian MacLeod

Kyler Fedko

Kala'I Rosario

Jose Olivaros

Noah Cardenas

Corey Lewis

Ricardo Olivar

Jaylen Nowlin

Anthony Prato

Alejandro Hidalgo

Cody Lawyeryson

Misael Urbina

Patrick Winkel

Thanks. Did you mean you think the top SEVEN are for sures? 

(Not questioning, just clarifying.)

[chpettit19]

24 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

I'm gonna go back to my original comment. They're good, intriguing bats. And I'm very happy to watch them grow. But they are NOT elite bats. This level of hype is why a bunch of people were shocked that Miranda sucked. 

I'm just trying to set reasonable expectations for both the players and the fans sake. 

I mean, nobody would've predicted Miranda would have a 49 wRC+ in AAA, but yes, the use of the word "elite" when talking about so many prospects really sets up some pretty wild expectations. Ohtani, Judge, Ramirez, Soto. Those are "elite" bats. Buxton started knocking on the door this year. Otherwise, the Twins don't have anyone even sniffing it. Jenkins is the only guy in the system with any reasonable hope at this point of possibly reaching those kinds of heights and the chances are still very low because it's just incredibly hard to be "elite." 

All that being said, Mendez's bat is quite intriguing. If he can learn to lift the ball just a little more frequently there is a lot to like there. But he's yet again another slow footed, no glove prospect so that bat is going to have to do all the work unless this 1B thing really works out. He's one to watch, but he's not going to be on the opening day roster, and he's not an "elite" anything.

[Dman]

4 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Thanks. Did you mean you think the top SEVEN are for sures? 

(Not questioning, just clarifying.)

On the fence with Mendez.  I have had him in and out.  Usually rule V hitters that get taken are up the middle guys (catcher, Short, center).  Mendez doesn't have elite defense.  The only reason I think they might add him is the contact rate is so good as is the eye at the plate.  Those are skills that can lead to an elite bat.  He's 50\50 for me to be added.

[Dman]

17 minutes ago, Cody Schoenmann said:

Laweryson already has a 40-man spot. Also, I mostly agree with the seven prospects you’re protecting. I could see them choosing not to protect Klein. 

Klein is a tough one, but if you are protecting Prielipp why not Klein was my logic.  They pitched at the same level faced the same teams and Klein's numbers were better.  Klein is also a year younger than Prielipp.  He just doesn't have the first round pedigree and isn't a lefty.  

I think Prielipp has better stuff, but I think Klein is too good not to be added.  He even came up 2nd in the Twins Daily voting for best starter losing only to Hill.  I'm pretty confident he will be an add. 

[FlyingFinn]

1 hour ago, bunsen82 said:

He is a replica of Gabriel Gonzalez and that is a good thing. 

I think this is your best point in the Mendez discussion. Other than LH vs RH, Gonzalez and Mendez are pretty similar. There was some talk that Gonzalez on D has improved. Maybe he is a little better on D than Mendez?? Gonzalez OPS #'s seem to be a little better than Mendez. The Twins seem to need RH hitters more than LH hitters right now (though if Mendez could master 1B, that is an opening). Professionals seem to rate Gonzalez higher than Mendez so I guess I rely on them some as well. Finally, Gonzalez has some decent #'s already at AAA. Those are my reasons for protecting Gonzalez and not Mendez in the Rule 5 draft.

Good discussion.

[rdehring]

2 hours ago, NYCTK said:

Yes.

And I don't mean that as a derogatory. He's not a Top 100 prospect. He's not a 45 grade prospect.

I do like him, especially as return for a rental player, but let's not make him something that he's not. 

He was 17th in wRC+ for all AA players under the age of 25 with at least 250 PAs. Really impressive! But because he's offering no defensive value, also not good enough to be truly exciting. But plenty to be intriguing! 

 

You gave us a stat for AA players under 25.  Isn't he 21?  Expect that could make a difference in any comparison.  Perhaps, HUGE!

[tony&rodney]

3 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

the $15m plus a year that Sportrac thinks he's worth,

Interesting number from Spotrac. MLB cries poverty, but my guess is a decent playoff run gets Naylor a Christian Walker contract for 4 years. Naylor looks dumpy but hits, runs, and now his fielding has improved quite a bit. I guess we shall see soon enough. I'm on board with signing Naylor for 4/$80M.