Blue Jays: A deeper look at Rule-5 Draft selection, Abdiel Mendoza

Back in December 2021, the Toronto Blue Jays selected a right-handed pitcher by the name of Abdiel Mendoza, while losing two other prospects in the Minor League Baseball Rule 5 Draft.

Due to the Major League Baseball lockout, the MLB Rule 5 Draft was put on hiatus due to the operation stand-still; this did not affect the Minor League aspect of the draft.  The Blue Jays were able to gain ammunition in their bullpen, selecting the righty off the hands of the Texas Rangers, after losing righty-pitching prospect Curtis Taylor and outfielder Tanner Kirwer.

Born September 19th, 1998, Mendoza originated from Chitre, Panama. He was signed by the Oakland Athletics on July 2nd, 2015 as an international free agent. On August 31st, 2018, Mendoza was traded to the Texas Rangers with right-handed pitcher Teodoro Ortega for Corey Gearrin. In the Rangers organization, Mendoza hung around the lower minor leagues, ranging from a bullpen-arm to a casual starter. Between 2019-2020, he was assigned to the Nashville Sounds from the Hickory Crawdads. In 2021, he hovered between the Round Rock Express and Down East Wood Ducks, where the Blue Jays organization picked him up and placed him in AAA Buffalo Bisons.

What do we know about the newest Blue Jays prospect-pitcher?

The right-handed Panamanian-born chucker is 5’10” at 160lbs.  He’s slim-athletic built with some promising fire in his repertoire.  He’s repetitive in delivery and consistent, refined mechanics.  Mendoza’s weapon belt is primarily dependent on a fastball and a curveball.

His fastball sits low 90s, with average late tailing movement, with a 55-60 grade on fastball command. His curveball works right-to-left with sweeping action and early break.  In 2021, Mendoza had a 4.95 ERA, 7 starts going 1-3 with 40 strikeouts, 11 walks over 36.1 innings. Career-wise, he’s 10-12 with a 3.51 ERA with 201 strikeouts, 84 walks, and 3 saves over a total of 246 innings pitched.

Mendoza will be a useful arm for the Blue Jays organization in 2022.  His stuff is above decent and his ability to climb the organizational structure of the Rangers shows hope for his future and advancement.

The Blue Jays will have to assist this kid with an increase of velocity, and the addition of another off-speed pitch to his selection.  He’s shown the ability to start and relieve, which is a huge utility for the pitching staff.  Mendoza is currently assigned to the minor league-AAA affiliate, Buffalo Bisons.