The Phillies have acquired minor league OF Hendry Mendez and INF Robert Moore from Milwaukee in exchange for INF Oliver Dunn.
Hendry Mendez : 20 years old - LH hitter and thrower - signed 1/15/21 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2023 stats : .258/.324/.355 with .679 OPS at Rookie Level (4 games) and High A (62 games) in 272 plate appearances. Hit 11 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs and posted 30 RBIs - 23 walks. Played right field - .933 fielding percentage in 75 chances.
Notes : was the 2021 Brewers complex player of the year. Strong bat to ball skills, rarely strikes out. He played this fall for the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.
Robert Moore : 21 years old - switch hitter, right handed thrower - 2022 CB-B draft pick - University of Arkansas
2023 stats : .233/.321/.361 slash line in 563 plate appearances at High A with 33 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs and 62 RBIs, walked 55 times and stole 26 bases in 39 attempts. Defensively played mostly second base - .969 fielding percentage in 260 chances but also played shortstop - .983 fielding percentage in 173 chances.
Notes : Is the son of Dayton Moore the former GM of the KC Royals. Robert played winter ball for Brisbane in the Australian League last year. He’s noted for good bat speed, soft hands as a fielder and smart baseball acumen along with a high motor.
2B - Oliver Dunn - 26 years old - selected in minor league rule 5 draft from Yankees 12/7/22
2023 Stats : The left handed hitter had a career year at Reading posting 27 doubles, 4 triples 21 home runs and 78 RBIs. He also drew 82 walks and had a slash line of .271/.396/.506 with an .902 OPS. He played in the most games (119) this summer in his five year career and was amongst the Eastern League leaders in multiple categories - first in OPS (.902), OBP (.396), walks (82) and second in doubles (27), RBIs (78), slugging (.506), third in triples (4) and hits (113) and fourth in home runs (21) and batting average (.271). Continued to deliver in the Arizona Fall League and was named the league’s breakout player of the year. He posted a slash line or .343/.455/.616 in 88 plate appearances with a 1.071 OPS - hit 4 doubles, 2 home runs and had 11 RBIs - stole 12 bases in 12 attempts.
2023 Notes : a key contributor both on and off the field, a team leader. I asked Oliver if he was surprised about being chosen in the rule five draft and what stood out for him this season. “Yes, I was totally surprised. I wasn’t even following the draft when it happened actually. I think the main thing is just getting consistent at bats. That opportunity has really helped me figure out what I do well as a hitter and where I need to improve, and then allowed me to work on it.” He played primarily second base however saw some time in left field and third base as well which bodes well for his future advancement, the more defensive versatility a player can display obviously the better. Just a heady, smart baseball player, is fun to watch play as he usually does something good. Earned his way as a chosen participant in the Arizona Fall League. One to watch as a viable big league contributor next season.
Oliver’s reflections : “My biggest personal take away is probably just for the first time seeing what playing a whole season was like. The ups and downs of playing every day, understanding that the ups and downs are both part of it and how to keep my mind and body ready to compete and play to win the game everyday. Improvement wise I am trying to get better in all aspects, but with an emphasis on continuing to get better at second base but also getting better at third and some outfield positions, to offer as much defensive versatility as I can. And offensively I would like to put more balls in play, and cut down my swing and miss in the strike zone a little.”
Reading Hitting Coach Tyler Henson : ““Great young man, one of the hardest workers I’ve ever had, very intelligent. He could play in the big leagues right now and hold his own as a hitter. Controls the zone, walks, ability to drive in runs, hit for average - showed some pop this season which was really nice. One of the most consistent hitters throughout our lineup all year. Am excited to see what he does next year.”
2024 Projection : The Brewers placed him on the 40 man roster - will have a chance to make the big club in Spring Training.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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