Mario Mendoza Jr.

From BR Bullpen

Mario Mendoza Jr.

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.

School Central Arizona Junior College

Born January 19, 1979 in Navojoa, Sonora Mexico

Mario Mendoza Jr. was drafted in the 46th round of the 1998 amateur draft by the Anaheim Angels. He signed late and did not debut as a pro until 1999, when he went 8-2 for the Boise Hawks, but with a 5.49 ERA. The big right-hander was only two wins shy of the Northwest League lead. Mario Mendoza's son was 6-6, 4.30 for the Cedar Rapids Kernels and 1-1, 3.51 in 12 games for the Lake Elsinore Storm, the club managed by his father.

In 2001, Mario Jr. was only 2-4, 5.44 in 8 starts for Lake Elsinore and pitched for the AZL Angels in three outings, indicating he likely was injured. At age 23, he had a miserable 0-7 year - 0-2, 4.79 for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 0-4, 3.80 for the Arkansas Travelers and 0-1, 10.29 for the Salt Lake Stingers; on the bright side, he had moved from A to AAA during the year. In 2003, Mendoza was 0-1, 11.32 for Arkansas and 1-0, 11.57 for Rancho Cucamonga. Overall, he allowed 34 hits and 15 walks in 16 2/3 IP in the Angels system that year. They let him go with a career record for them of 18-21. Returning to his father's old territory, he went 4-0, 5.57 in Mexican League play for the Saltillo Saraperos. In 2004, Mendoza was 4-2 with a 4.83 ERA in 29 outings for Saltillo.

At age 26, the right-hander was 3-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 51 relief appearances for Saltillo as the team's most effective bullpen member. Moving to the rotation in 2006, he went 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA; he was second on the club and 14th in the LMB in ERA. In 2007, Mendoza Jr. had a 7-3, 3.95 record and was 13th in the league in ERA.