Florida State advanced to the College World Series for the 23rd time in school history Sunday, and it was a Nationals' draft pick who punched the Seminoles' ticket to Omaha.
In the 12th inning of a thrilling game against No. 16 LSU, Florida State third baseman Drew Mendoza — who the
Nationals took in the third round of the MLB Draft — drilled a walk-off single to right field to send the Seminoles to the CWS.
WALKS. IT. OFF. #RoadToOmaha | @FSUBaseball pic.twitter.com/WnGGSSOiHA
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS)
June 10, 2019 Mendoza is having an outstanding junior season for the Seminoles, leading the team in home runs (16), RBIs (56), runs scored (60), and slugging percentage (.620).
The Nationals believe Mendoza, who will likely move from third base to first on defense, can provide them a "big-time bat" at the major league level, people within the organization have told 106.7 The Fan's
Grant Paulsen.
Drew Mendoza was the #Nats 3rd round pick. He will play 1st base for them (not 3rd like he plays at FSU). Folks in org think he is going to be a big-time bat down the road. https://t.co/bpLDuAeceZ
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen)
June 10, 2019 Washington certainly needs a long-term solution at first base with Ryan Zimmerman's contract ending after the 2019 season, with a club option for 2020, not to mention his continued injury issues. And perhaps Mendoza will be the answer to that question.
