MiLB Player of the Day: Noah Mendlinger, Memphis

The Cardinal Chronicle
Minor League Player of the Day: Noah Mendlinger
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Noah Mendlinger picked a good time for his best swing of the season.

Mendlinger is The Cardinal Chronicle’s Minor League Player of the Day after helping Memphis roll past Norfolk 7-0 in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader at Harbor Park.

The Redbirds left fielder went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, two runs scored, a double and his first Triple-A home run of the season. It was the kind of complete offensive game that does more than fill up a box score. It helped Memphis take control early, support a shutout effort from Quinn Mathews, and move closer to the top of the International League standings.

By the end of the day, Memphis had swept the doubleheader and moved into first place.

That matters.

Mendlinger’s performance came in a game where the Redbirds had plenty of strong contributions. Victor Scott II, playing in his first Triple-A game of the season, went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBIs, a walk and a run scored. Yohel Pozo added three hits. Quinn Mathews gave Memphis six shutout innings on the mound.

But Mendlinger supplied the biggest run-production line of the opener.

Four RBIs in a seven-run shutout win is not background noise. That is a hitter helping decide the game.

Mendlinger has never been the type of prospect who gets pushed to the front of every conversation. He is not built on hype. He is built more on utility, contact, approach and finding ways to contribute. Those players matter, especially at Triple-A, where depth is not just a talking point. It is often the difference between an organization holding together or scrambling when injuries hit St. Louis.

Thursday was a good reminder of that.

Memphis has been one of the best clubs in Triple-A this season, and it has not happened because of one player. It has happened because different players keep stepping forward on different nights. On Thursday afternoon, Mendlinger was one of those players.

His first Triple-A home run of the season gave the Redbirds another run-producing swing. His double added extra-base impact. His three-hit game kept pressure on Norfolk. His four RBIs gave Mathews the room to attack.

That is winning baseball.

There are nights when the biggest name gets the headline. There are other nights when the best performance earns it.

This was one of those nights.

Old School Take

Every good club needs players like Noah Mendlinger.

Not everyone has to be the headliner. Some players simply know how to play, stay ready, and take advantage when the opportunity comes.

Thursday, Mendlinger did more than contribute.

He drove in four runs, scored twice, hit his first Triple-A homer of the season, and helped Memphis sweep its way into first place.

That earns the headline.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.

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Photo Credit: Noah Mendlinger, Memphis Redbirds | MiLB