712.277.WINS (9467)

SIOUX CITY - Sioux City Explorers field manager Steve Montgomery announced today that the club has re-signed INF Tommy Mendonca to a 2015 American Association contract.  The upcoming season will be Mendonca’s 7^th season of professional baseball and 2^nd season as a member of the X’s

Mendonca was named the 2008 College World Series most outstanding player and was drafted drafted No. 62 overall (2nd round) by the Texas Rangers in the 2009 MLB after an outstanding junior year at Fresno State in which he belted 27 home runs and drove in 78 runs while batting .339. For his efforts, Mendonca was named the Fresno State Athlete of the Year, WAC Player of the Year, and was named to five All-American teams.  Mendonca went on to play (4) seasons in the Rangers organization and had his best statistical season in 2011 as a member of the Rangers Double-A affiliate in Frisco, TX.  With the Frisco Roughriders, Tommy accumulated 140 hits in 125 games, while hitting 27 doubles, 25 homeruns and collecting 87 RBI’s to go along with a .278 batting average. For his efforts, Mendonca was promoted to Triple-A for the remaining 63 games. 

The Turlock, CA resident started the 2013 season in the Independent Atlantic League before having his contract purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies.  Tommy appeared in 40 games for the Phillies Double-A affiliate in Reading.

“I am very thankful for being given an opportunity to return to Sioux City for a second year, commented Mendonca.  We had a great finish to the season last year and it looks like we will have a good amount of the same guys back and that is a good sign, as it shows the trust we have in our manager and the trust he has in us, I can’t wait for the upcoming season to begin”.

In his first season in Sioux City in 2014, Tommy appeared in 95 games and in 360 at-bats he racked up (125) total bases, while collecting (90) hits, (20) doubles, (3) home runs  scored (41) runs and drove in (55) RBI’s, while compiling a (.250) batting average to go along with a (.347) slugging percentage.

 “We are excited about having Tommy back for another season as he was one of our top RBI guys in the second half of the season and we are looking forward to him building upon it in 2015”, stated field manager, Steve Montgomery.

With the re-signing of Mendonca, the Explorers now have 8 players signed for the 2015 season, 7 of the 8 players are returning players from the 2014 team.

Group reservations for all 50 home games, including the home opener on Thursday, May 21 are on sale now by calling 712-277-9467.