Hendry Mendez Deserves to Be Part of Twins’ September Callup Conversation

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

As we approach the final month of the major-league regular season, many teams bring up some of their top prospects for quick looks and for needed boosts in playoff races. September callups allow teams to add two more players to their rosters, going from 26 to 28 players, and a lot of the conversations around the Twins’ organization lately have been focused on two outfielders: Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez.

They’re two of the best prospects in the organization. Both are right on the doorstep of the major leagues, and it feels like only a matter of time before the Twins give each of them an opportunity. But there’s another outfielder who doesn’t get mentioned nearly enough, in my opinion, and he’s in a very similar spot. It’s Hendry Mendez.

The Harrison Bader trade at last summer’s trade deadline continues to look good. Mendez has done nothing but hit the ball since being acquired from the Phillies—so much so that he’s climbed directly behind Rodriguez in Twins Daily’s prospect rankings. Across 356 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A this year, Mendez is slashing .290/.383/.454. When you compare his Triple-A numbers specifically to those of Jenkins and Rodriguez, you might be surprised by just how well Mendez stacks up.

His extra-base hit production isn’t quite as high, largely because of Mendez’s 52% ground-ball rate. He isn’t going to provide the same raw power that Rodriguez can, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to like about his offensive profile. Mendez is getting on base at a higher clip than Jenkins, and his hard-hit rate is also about four percentage points higher. The biggest difference, though, might be his ability to consistently put the bat on the baseball.

Rodriguez’s overall contact rate is at just 65% (a major concern, but one for another time). Mendez’s contact rate is up at 82%. That gives Mendez a very different offensive profile from Rodriguez. He may not have the same ceiling in terms of power, but there is considerably less swing-and-miss in his game. That could be valuable for the Twins as they try to figure out what their outfield should look like over the next few seasons. Mendez is also already on the 40-man roster, meaning the Twins face no major friction if they decide to promote him. Even after making the jump from Double-A to Triple-A, he’s continued to produce and put good swings on the ball and post impressive numbers.

There’s no reason Mendez has to be viewed as a direct alternative to Jenkins or Rodriguez. The Twins could theoretically bring up multiple young outfielders, especially if they want to use September as an opportunity to get a better look at the players who could be part of the playoff window they hope is opening this season. Each of the three prospects would bring very different things to the table.

Jenkins offers the highest overall prospect pedigree, but isn’t on the 40-man and could be stuck in St. Paul for the rest of the year. Rodriguez brings some of the most impressive raw power in the organization, and Mendez brings a more contact-oriented approach with the ability to get on base and consistently make hard contact. That diversity could actually make Mendez an even more interesting piece of the puzzle.

The Twins have many decisions to make in their outfield moving forward. Some veterans are likely to be moved, with a wave of prospects getting closer and closer to the major leagues. It's all but guaranteed the outfield will shift to a much younger group in the near future. Jenkins and Rodriguez will probably be at the center of those conversations, but Mendez should be part of them, too.

I don’t think the Twins need to rush Mendez to the major leagues, and I wouldn’t argue that he needs to be prioritized over Jenkins or Rodriguez. But if the organization is looking for another young hitter to get a taste of the majors in September, there’s a compelling case to give Mendez a chance.

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[DJL44]

Now do Wallner

[PuckettPond]

Twins need to get rid of the old wood & make room for the young talent. One must manage a team like a forest or bad things happen. Worst to first 1987 Twins!

[ashbury]

There are 40 players on the roster.  Only 28 get to play in the majors in September.  Some will be injured at that point, but there will be others who deserve some playing time and won't get it. 

I'd give priority to those who not only show sufficient bat but also can play a position at at least an average level of accomplishment, and I'm not sure if Mendez has shown that as yet.  The bat alone would have to be nearly at the Juan Soto level of accomplishment for me to think differently; of course Soto was age 19 when he made his case for promotion (and it wasn't September).

[Woof Bronzer]

26 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Now do Wallner

He's not ready.  Check back in a couple years.  

[DJL44]

Mendez has played 59 games in AAA. It won’t hurt him to play another 30 at that level.
 

The Twins have a ton of options on the roster for LF, more than they can legitimately use in a single season. They also have Kalai Rosario, Ricardo Olivar, Caden Kendle and Khadim Diaw off the roster. They need to sell some of this depth to add infielders.

[rdehring]

I think the Twins added their 27th player yesterday, Jackson.  Fantastic seeing he wasn't claimed and is back with the Twins.  I know he replaced Martin, who went on the IR.  But Martin will be eligible to come off only a few days before September 1.  Wouldn't surprise me to see them wait until the 1st, then bring Martin back off the IL. 

Would love to see EmRod getting some time in September to see how he adjusts.  Unless there is an injury, bringing him up will be surprising.

[darin617]

I may be wrong but with September isn't it basically a taxi squad where they can have Jenkins on Monday and then Rodriguez on Tuesday and back to Jenkins? So technically they can cycle through the guys without having to wait.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

It appears in either case we have several prospects with good hit tools.  Similar to Keaschall though we may have to many with questionable defense.  Now they initial tried Mendez at 1st but he ended right back in the outfield this year.  We have a bit of a glut with Gonzalez, Rodriguez, Jenkins, Mendez - Then add in Roden and Buxton.  

Mendez is on the 40 man and his approach appears to be MLB level.  I would be ok with giving him a shot at the big leagues but my guess is Wallner, Rodriguez or Gonzalez would be the 1st options.  

[DJL44]

5 minutes ago, darin617 said:

I may be wrong but with September isn't it basically a taxi squad where they can have Jenkins on Monday and then Rodriguez on Tuesday and back to Jenkins? So technically they can cycle through the guys without having to wait.

The option rules still apply.

[bean5302]

Mendez is a plodding corner outfielder with a good hit tool and no power. His ceiling is utility outfielder. He's "above average" as a AAA minor league baseball hitter. He's been a lousy fielder with a .945 fielding percentage in left this year and a poor range factor aside from that.

Translated, Mendez projects as a below average hitting DH. eeerrrrrmagggahhhhhd, look at his OPS against he worst pitching MiLB has ever seen! Immediately call him up!!!!

[thelanges5]

Twins OF…

[Cory Engelhardt]

If Buxton is available and Keaschall is on the team, then there is only room for one other starting outfielder. There will be a lot of trades, or should be, of outfielders for pitching in my opinion

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Now do Wallner

He will be 29 in a few months. I imagine both he and Sabato will be lights out in the kbo in 2027