Tanner Mendonca

[Willihammer]

Tanner Mendonca, DOB: 6/18/1992, a 6'4" 215 lb. RHP, and the Twins 17th round pick (500th overall) in June 2013, a Junior out of Sacramento State. Under coach Reggie Christiansen, Mendonca lead the Hornets to a 34-25 record. For the year, he was 2-6 with a 4.88 ERA and 44 K / 36 BB in 72.0 IP.

 

He began the 2013 season very rusty, and was demoted early in the season to the bullpen where he soon regained his form. By late March, he returned to the rotation. On Mar 30, he surrendered his only home run of the season, a 3 run shot off the bat of Alexander Listi of Dallas Baptist in a 5.2 IP, 5H / 5 BB / 4K effort.

 

AS of this writing, Mendonca has started 6 games for the Elizabethton Twins, allowing 15 hits, 21 walks and 16 strikeouts over 16.1 IP. However, he has only surrendered 1 home run, a solo shot off the bat of JJ Altobelli on July 28th. Which is sort of surprising since opponents have hit Mendonca for a lot of fly balls.

 

He throws a 90 mph fastball and a 73 mph curveball and some other pitch that hits 80 mph. Changeup probably. Video of Mendonca's overhand delivery is available here:

[nicksaviking]

I'm not sure what type of response is appropriate for this write up. I'll just say, Good luck Tanner

[Smcginnity]

EEsh!

[Willihammer]

Tanner was pulled after 2 innings against the Bluefield Blue Jays yesterday. surrendering 8 runs (5 earned), 5 hits, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts and a HR off the bat of Dawel Lugo. The HR was Lugo's 6th in 41 games in the Appalachian League.

[Willihammer]

Tanner pitched 2 innings in relief against the Burlington Royals. He walked 1, struckout 2, and surrendered a double to Pedro Gonzalez, but he picked him off at 2nd. Mendonca allowed no runs.

[Willihammer]

Tanner was given the start in yesterday's game against the Danville Braves. The top fo the 1st went thusly for Mendonca:

 

1. Swinging strikeout

2. Walk

3. Line drive single

4. Walk

5. Walk

6. Walk

7. Swinging strikeout

8. Walk

 

Tanner was relieved by Andrew Ferreira after giving up 3 runs and recording just the two outs.

[Willihammer]

Demoted back to the pen, Mendonca relieved Randy Rosario for 2 innings Wednesday. He allowed a double and 2 walks, while striking out 3 (2 swinging) and allowed no runs. Mendonca and catcher Bryan Santy combined to catch Blake Brown stealing 2nd in the 6th.

[Willihammer]

Tanner relieved Ryan Eades to start the Greenville Astros 7th on Sunday, and promptly walked the first 3 batters he faced to load the bases. He was taken out of the game without recording an out.

[Willihammer]

Tanner relieved Kohl Stewart for the 5th inning and recorded 3 outs while walking only 1. He went back out for the 6th, and walked 3 in a row to load the bases and was relieved by Andre Martinez. 2 of the 3 runners would score. Mendonca's ERA for the season now sits at 6.56.

[Oldgoat_MN]

I gotta say Willihammer, you keep us posted on your guy.

 

Short and to-the-point updates. Thank you.

[Willihammer]

After 9 days of rest, Mendonca returned to action yesterday for Elizabethton. With the bases empty to start the 7th, the Twins 17th round pick of 2013 walked the first and second runners he faced. Then allowed a single, walk, and single. He left with no outs and the bases load.

 

In relief of Mendonca, Ryan Eades allowed a bases-clearing double to Tyler Smith, giving Mendonca an earned run for each batter he faced (5).

 

For the year, Mendonca holds a narrow lead over Andre Martinez for team WHIP and ERA, with 2.61 and 8.49 in 23.1 IP. Martinez trails with 2.23 and 8.18 in 22.0 IP.