Camp Chat: Luis Mendoza

February, 26, 2010
2/26/10
9:00
AM CT
I know Luis Mendoza isn't the biggest name on the roster, but I think he's one of those forgotten minor leaguers trying to prove himself. He played in 25 games (18 starts) for Triple-A Oklahoma City last year and was 6-7 with a 4.53 ERA. But he felt better about his game during winter ball. Mendoza was 7-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 14 starts (90 1/3 innings). Opponents batted .249 against him and he had 82 strikeouts and 27 walks. Here's a quick conversation I had with Mendoza:

Q: You’ve said this is a big year for you. Talk about that.

A: It’s a competition. They signed new guys and they want a good group in the big leagues. I have to show I can do this. I feel good. I had a good season and I want to do the same things and use more pitches to have success. I feel confident.

Q: Was there something in particular you worked on this offseason?

A: I used my curveball more. I was using mainly fastballs and stick with sinkers. The curveball was good. Sometimes the hitters didn’t expect a curve and I struck out people. I worked on command, too. I threw first-pitch strikes.

Q: What do you think will happen to you this year?

A: I’m confident that good things are coming for me. I’m trying to stay healthy and show them that I can pitch.
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

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TEAM LEADERS

WINS LEADER
Yu Darvish
WINS ERA SO IP
6 3.05 63 56
OTHER LEADERS
BAJ. Hamilton .379
HRJ. Hamilton 18
RBIJ. Hamilton 49
RI. Kinsler 36
OPSJ. Hamilton 1.187
ERAY. Darvish 3.05
SOY. Darvish 63

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