Fansided

One prospect each MLB team should call up

By Joshua Sadlock

Mar 10, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (86) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (86) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Mascot Ranger Captian waves the Rangers flag following the game against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Rangers won 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Mascot Ranger Captian waves the Rangers flag following the game against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Rangers won 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers: Yohander Mendez

No team in Major League Baseball has mined the Latin American market for top talent better than the Texas Rangers. All around the field, the Rangers boast international free agents found by their scouting department — Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor, Jurickson Profar, Nomar Mazara, just to name a few. It’s this core that makes the Rangers a strong contender in the American League, but only if their starting rotation can keep it together.

Behind the duo of Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels, the Rangers are short on starting pitching. If it gets much worse, they will have to turn to the farm system to bolster the rotation, and the top choice should be another of the international finds, Yohander Mendez. The 22-year-old left-hander made his debut last season and allowed six earned runs in three innings. Not an ideal big-league debut for a top prospect.

Mendez does have what it takes to start in the big leagues. Elbow problems have bothered him since his signing in 2011, but he was finally healthy in 2016 and climbed up the system quickly. Mendez has a sinking fastball that sits anywhere from 90-93 mph but can touch 95. That is his best pitch, and his breaking pitches lag behind, perhaps due to slowed development due to injuries. He projects as a number-three starter, but the Rangers could use one of those in a rotation filled with number fives on the back end.

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