NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE

12. Evan Mendoza, 3B (drafted, 2017): Perhaps a new name for many readers, even ones who scour the minor-league box scores for gems. Mendoza was the Cardinals’ 11th-round pick just this past summer, and it’s noteworthy that he did enough with a short-season club to earn raves from the evaluators who saw him. Mendoza was a pitching prospect early in his career at North Carolina State, but after a difficult college season he hit .370/.431/.549. Keep in mind that the 11th-round is often a strategy round, where teams use picks to get players who will command above-slot bonuses but won’t pay the same penalty for signing (the bonus above $100,000 counts against the cap). Mendoza has good contact, needs to unlock some power in his swing, and has the strong arm that means he could be the next Sam Tuivailala if the bat doesn’t advance.