Comments on: CBB Top 50 Countdown: Number 44 Tommy Mendonca (Fresno State)

By: waltgreenberg

waltgreenberg — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:53:22 +0000

To be honest, I cannot believe Mendonca is so far down on this listing (and with the Hofstra guy ahead of him)? His second half of last season, through post-season play and TeamUSA action, was off the maps outstanding (and he was playing with a badly injured swinging hand). IMO, he goes into this season as the 2nd or 3rd best returning third basemen in college ball (behind Dominguez of Louisville), with almost as much power as Dominguez. Expect a really big breakout year for him. I can’t imagine how 43 players are ranked ahead of him in Brian’s mind.

By: Belushi

Belushi — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:23:19 +0000

Aman, you are correct he is an outstanding defensive third baseman. On a pitching strong Team USA this past summer only TWO players hit over .300! Had Mendonca been able to fatten up his stats against Lithuania (30-1 Team USA victory) would that have been enough to land him higher on this list? He was not supposed to play at all in that game because of a slight concussion he suffered when he ran into the wall chasing a foul ball the night before. A late inning injury to Blake Smith forced Mendonca to play outfield, where he made an error, hurting his fielding %. Had he been able to hit in that game, and like some of his teammates, went 4-4 (like he did in the championship game) he would have finished the summer batting .286…third highest on the team. I find it hard to believe that he would be dropped in rankings on this list because of a percieved “poor showing” for Team USA. Congratulations Tommy for the great year you had and for being included in this top 50 list.

By: Brian Foley

Brian Foley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:12:38 +0000

He was the worst defender on Team USA this summer with a .917 fielding percentage.

By: Aman Reaka

Aman Reaka — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:19:14 +0000

NO. I mean his defense at 3B is really nice. I have seen one amazing play after another from this guy.

By: Brian Foley

Brian Foley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:25:28 +0000

He can always move to the outfield.

By: Aman Reaka

Aman Reaka — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:41:22 +0000

Mendonca also offers some serious defense in addition to his bat.