| Evan Mendoza | |
|---|---|
 Mendoza in 2017 with the State College Spikes | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: (1996-06-28)June 28, 1996 (age 29) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
Evan Manuel Mendoza (born June 28, 1996) is an American former professionalbaseballinfielder. He played for theColombia national baseball team.
Mendoza was born inBaltimore, Maryland, and began his high school career atSeverna Park High School inSeverna Park, Maryland.[1][2] After his freshman year, he and his family moved toSarasota, Florida where he attendedSarasota High School. As a senior in 2014, he was 7–2 with a 0.78 ERA in 54 innings pitched.[3] He was not drafted out of high school in the2014 MLB draft and enrolled atNorth Carolina State University where he playedcollege baseball for theNC State Wolfpack.
As a freshman at NC State in 2015, Mendoza struggled, posting a 6.75 ERA in nine appearances. After his freshman season, he was converted from a pitcher to a position player.[4] As a sophomore he led NC State with a .362 batting average and was named to the All-ACC second team.[5] After the 2016 season, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theBourne Braves of theCape Cod Baseball League.[6] In 2017, as a junior, he started all 61 of NC State's games and batted .262 with five home runs and 35 RBIs.[7]
After his junior year, theSt. Louis Cardinals selected Mendoza in the 11th round of the2017 MLB draft.[8] He signed with the Cardinals for $150,000[9] and was assigned to theState College Spikes. After batting .370/.431/.549 with three home runs, 28 RBIs, and 14 doubles in 41 games he was promoted to thePeoria Chiefs in August where he finished the season, batting .270 with one home run, eight RBIs, and six doubles in 18 games. While playing for State College, he was named to theNew York-Penn League All-Star Game,[10] and his .370 batting average won him the title of 2017 New York-Penn League batting champion.[11] He began 2018 with thePalm Beach Cardinals where he was named to theFlorida State League All-Star Game.[12] After batting .349/.394/.456 with three home runs and 16 RBIs through 37 games, he was promoted to theSpringfield Cardinals in May.[13] Mendoza was selected as St. Louis' Minor League Player of the Month for May after batting a combined .369 with an .895 OPS in 28 total games played between Palm Beach and Springfield during the month.[14] He ended the year with Springfield, hitting .254 with five home runs and 26 RBIs in 98 games.[15]
Mendoza began 2019 with theMemphis Redbirds but was reassigned back to Springfield in April.[16][17] He was promoted back to Memphis in June, but placed on theinjured list that same month after breaking his wrist, ultimately ending his season.[18] Over sixty games between the two teams, Mendoza hit .252 with one home run and 21 RBIs. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[19] For the 2021 season, Mendoza returned to Memphis, slashing .242/.305/.290 with one home run, 27 RBIs, and 14 doubles over 116 games.[20] He returned to Memphis for the 2022 season.[21] Over 109 games, he batted .247 with four home runs, 29 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases.[22]
On December 7, 2022, theSan Diego Padres selected Mendoza from the Cardinals in the minor league phase in theRule 5 draft.[23] He split the 2023 season between the rookie–levelArizona Complex League Padres, Double–ASan Antonio Missions, and Triple–AEl Paso Chihuahuas. Playing in just 31 total games due to injury, Mendoza hit .226/.274/.287 with two home runs, 11 RBI, and five stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.[24]
Mendoza is of Colombian descent through his father.[25] He played for theColombia national baseball team at the2023 World Baseball Classic.[26]
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