Hagerstown updates: Mendoza, Cronin and Cluff

Here are some updates on a few of the 2019 draft selections getting some playing time for low Single-A Hagerstown these past few weeks: left-hander Matt Cronin, shortstop Jackson Cluff and third baseman Drew Mendoza.

Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson said Cronin has picked up where he left off from his college relief work, demonstrating an ability to produce copious swings and misses.

LHP Matt Cronin
Round 4, 2019
Arkansas
0-0, 0.82 ERA, 9 games, 23 strikeouts in 11 innings

"Matt Cronin came in, we just drafted him, he's got an electric arm," Anderson said. "Good fastball-curveball type of guy. Kind of getting his feet wet here in not too many leverage situations, and then we are going to pull the reins off of him and let him roll. He's really good. He's got a special arm."

The infielder Cluff has shown little rust two years removed from his days at Brigham Young University.

SS Jackson Cluff
Round 6, 2019
BYU
.250, 41 games, 4 doubles, 3 triples, 3 homers, 15 RBIs

"Outstanding. He's just a baseball player," Anderson noted. "One of those throwbacks that just gets after it. He can run a little bit. He does a little bit of everything. Got a really good arm, makes plays on defense, good hands, left-handed stick. Does a good job at shortstop for us. The last two games he led off with triples. Set the tone for us. He just does a great job for us at shortstop."

Anderson said the organization received Mendoza after Florida State made it to Omaha, Neb., for the College World Series. Mendoza was All-ACC first team and a second team All-America selection.

3B/1B Drew Mendoza
Round 3, 2019
Florida State
.279/.371/.393, 31 games, 8 doubles, 2 homers, 17 RBIs

"He intrigues me a lot," Anderson said. "He's got a really good approach. His strike-zone discipline is really good. He's been playing a lot since the College World Series with Florida State. I'm intrigued to see what he does in instructional league and how they can coach him up when they get their hands on him. Right now we are just letting him play. Not too much instruction, just talking about game type of stuff. Once he gets himself honed in and locked in on what he needs to do, he's going to be really good. He's going to be really special."

Mendoza has cranked two homers for the Suns. Anderson described the first homer of Mendoza's pro career from July 26:

"He got one the other day, his first home run, and it was a no-brainer. You see quality stuff coming out of that bat. He does a great job defensively. We moved him over to first base and his footwork is great. He's got a good arm. He's picked everything over there, knock on wood. He's done a really good job for us there."