California

Prospect Report: Ortiz, Mendez Move Up To Frisco

A couple of the Rangers top pitching prospects continue to move up the minor league ranks.

Pitchers Luis Ortiz and Yohander Mendez were promoted to Double-A Frisco on Friday.

Ortiz, a 20-year old righty, was the Rangers top pick in 2014. He was 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA for High Desert in the hitter-friendly Class A California League. Scouting report on Ortiz is that he throws strikes with the four-seam fastball and slider, along with a changeup. He had 28 strikeouts in just over 27 innings pitched.

Mendez, a 21-year old lefty, was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 33 innings for High Desert. Scouting report on Mendez is he can move his fastball around with a little bit of sink on it, along with an impressive changeup. Mendez gets the start for the Roughriders Saturday against San Antonio.

Other minor league notes:

Hickory right-handed pitcher Pedro Payano has stepped into the spotlight this season in the South Atlantic League. He’s 1-1 with a 1.42 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 38 innings this season for the Crawdads. Payano was part of the 2011 international class that included Rougned Odor, Nomar Mazara, Ronald Guzman and Mendez. His fastball can touch 94 on the radar gun and is developing a cutter to go along with the curve and change.

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