712.277.WINS (9467)

Mendonca was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 2^nd round (62^nd overall) in the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft following a stellar collegiate career at Fresno State. In 2008, Mendonca helped lead Fresno State to a College World Series championship and was named the 2008 College World Series most outstanding player and is still tied for the most home runs (4) in a College World Series. Tommy followed that with a very impressive 2009 season at Fresno State in which he clubbed 27 home runs and drove in 78 runs while batting .339. For his efforts, Mendonca was named the Fresno State Athlete of the Year, WAC Player of the Year, and was named to five All-American teams.

In his first season in Sioux City in 2014, the Turlock, CA resident played in 95 games, collecting 90 hits with 20 doubles, 3 home runs, and 55 RBI’s while compiling a .250 batting average. Mendonca produced a solid season for the Explorers in 2015, appearing in 90 games, racking up 102 hits with 139 total bases, posting a .311 batting average to go along with a .424 slugging percentage, hitting 3 home runs, 26 doubles, scoring 46 runs while collecting 47 RBI’s. The 26 doubles were good for 5^th best in the American Association in 2015.

“We are excited to have Tommy returning in 2016”, commented X’s 3^rd year field manager Steve Montgomery. “He locks the 3B spot up defensively and after hitting .311 last season, we are looking forward to him building off that and seeing what he can do with the bat in 2016.”

Mendonca began his professional career in 2009 and played 4 seasons in the Rangers organization. He had his best statistical season in 2011 playing for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders in which he belted 25 home runs, drove in 87 runs, and scored 75 runs to go along with his .278 batting average. Tommy was promoted to the Triple-A Round Rock Express in 2012 where he appeared in 63 games, hitting 7 home runs and collecting 31 RBI’s. Mendonca’s last action in affiliated ball came in 2013 when he played in 40 games for the Philadelphia Phillies Double-A team in Reading, PA.

With the re-signing of Mendonca, the Explorers now have 4 players (all position players) signed to 2016 contracts, all  returning from the X’s 75 win record breaking 2015 season.

The Explorers 2016 home opener is set for Thursday, May 19^th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries.  Get in the game with the Sioux City Explorers and reserve your 2016 season ticket packages, flex ticket packages or company group outing by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).