Reading too much into Spring Training numbers is often a problem. However, to ignore someone who hit .361/.478/.667 in 36 ABs after being a 2018 AA All-Star would be a little bit of an oversight. If you’ve been following the Charlotte Knights at all this year, you’d see that Danny Mendick – the man who put up that Spring Training slash line – is continue to make a name for himself in 2019. In 121 games this season, Mendick is hitting 282/.378/.443 with 15 HR and 19 SB. While his call up is not nearly as called for by fans as that of Luis Robert or Nick Madrigal, fans are starting to wonder when Mendick might get his chance in the big leagues.
This past week, I had the chance to ask Danny some questions and learned about his career, the interesting story behind his draft day, and advice he might have for young baseball players. Enjoy!
At what age did you start playing the game, and when did you think that you could make a career out of baseball?
I started playing before I could even remember. I used to have a machine as a kid that would load a wiffle ball and attached to it was a home plate that you’d stomp on and the ball would come shooting out to hit. That was when I was a toddler, so before I can even remember. And I didn’t know I could make a career out of baseball until around my senior year of college when I started getting looks. Before that I just played for the love of the game.
You attended college at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. How did your experiences there shape the player you’ve become today? Do you have any favorite memories?
Lowell was awesome. I met a great group of guys and we all got along really well. I learned how to never give up and go out there and lay everything between the lines. A story would be we were playing a school from Long Island and I was hitting. Hit and run, but the pitch was unhittable. So I swung and after the catcher threw the ball, he like punched me in the back of the head (catcher was having a tough day). I remember being on the ground and this guy on me(not in a fighting way), but right as it happened all my boys came out of the dugout and had my back. Made me realize what it’s like to have a team behind you and helped me become an even better teammate. I learned it was more than a game and how to be a teammate others would want when they were in trouble – to have their backs, like my friends had mine.
You were drafted by the White Sox in the 22nd round back in 2015. Can you tell me a little bit about the day you got the call? What types of decisions were you weighing as you decided whether or not to sign?
I watched the draft the first two days because the Cubs told me I was going to go in the back half of the top ten. After they didn’t take me, I couldn’t sit by the computer anymore, so I went and played golf. Played 36 holes, and on the 32nd hole I got a call saying the White Sox drafted me in the 22nd round. I just wanted to play baseball so badly that I didn’t care what they offered or what round it was. I was going to play and make a name for myself. So I left the next day to go out to Arizona for mini camp.
You are a true homegrown prospect for the White Sox. What has your experience been like as you’ve advanced through the system? How does a change in level force you to change your mindset or approach, if at all?
I have gotten to meet a lot of coaches and people in the White Sox organization that have had a great impact on the organization so that’s cool. It’s been nice to be in the same organization and meet guys as you grow together. I’ve had to make adjustments level to level but it’s been good for my growing as a player. Each level the game speeds up and has different challenges, so my goal has to just be able to adapt to these changes as quickly as possible. Whether it’s how the guys are pitching me, my swing, or even where I get lunch that day, I just try to adapt with an open mind no matter what.
Which White Sox coach or player has had the biggest influence on your game as you’ve advanced through the system? Who else in your life would you consider someone who has had a big influence on who you are today?
Well my parents have been a huge influence on me because they taught me to dream big and never give up. They also presented me with the opportunity to play starting at an early age so I’m thankful for that. Another big influence is my hitting coach back home, Dave Parlet. He formed my swing as a young kid to the man I am. Gave me a foundation for the swing because I was a little guy and he told me how to use my legs and control my hands all together. With time I’ve changed, but he was the foundation it all started with.
As far as for the White Sox, I’ve had a lot of great coaches to help me along the way. I first had Mike Gellinger in rookie ball who has now become our hitting coordinator. He had a great impact on me as a player and is just a great guy. Then I had Willie Harris in High-A Winston-Salem. He taught me how to really be a grinder of a player, how to not care about what round people are drafted or how much money they made, and to show all these people what a 22nd rounder from the north can do. And it wasn’t always by telling me, but by the way he acted as a manager. He gave off this vibe that I really attached myself too. And now as I’m in Triple-A with Charlotte, Mark Grudzielanek and Frank Menechino have had huge impacts on my career. These guys both played in the big leagues and have given me so much insight on what I need to do to get to the big leagues. This year has been very eye opening for me and I can’t thank these coaches enough for how much time they’ve invested in helping me.
6) This past Spring Training, you really put your name on the map for Sox fans after hitting .361/.478/.667 in 36 ABs. I don’t know how much you follow White Sox Twitter, but with the year you’ve been putting up in AAA, more fans (myself absolutely included) have talked more about when you could get your shot with the big league club. How do you maintain your focus on the day-to-day grind when the big leagues feel so close?
I took this spring training as an opportunity. I knew I had to make the most of it and worked my tail off this offseason so I was prepared for it. I’m happy I did well but I knew with how hard I worked I could do it. It’s exciting to be close. I’ve dreamed about playing in the big leagues some day so being this close definitely feels awesome! The day-to-day grind doesn’t really change, whenever I get caught up in things I just try to remind myself that in between those lines the game is the same. From being 12 and playing little league to now the game changes, yes, but it’s still played the same way. And I play the game because I love it. It’s not about the money, it’s about being passionate and loving the game. And that’s what makes the every day grind fun because I get to do what I love. So it’s exciting, and seeing all the people support me, including yourself, means so much, because I’m not the big name everyone wants to hear, but I hope to be the player every team needs.
7) If you could give any piece of advice to younger players aspiring to reach the level you’re at, what would you say?
So if I could give any advice I would say dream big! Because you really never know. That doesn’t just go for baseball but for life in general. If you give it your very best every day… Derek Jeter said it best, but, “There may be people who have more talent than you, but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you.” And that’s kind of how I live, because I know there are people with more talent than me, but I will work harder than them. And so for younger guys, it would be to just dream big and work hard because you never know when you might just get that opportunity.
On behalf of everyone here at Sox On 35th, I’d like to thank Danny or taking the time out to answer some questions. The time he took out during a busy playoff push was certainly appreciated. I hope this interview has given you fans a little more insight into the type of player and person that Danny is. We will certainly be continuing to root for him as he works his way to the majors!
You can follow Danny on Twitter @dmendick01 and Instagram @dmendick.
Featured Photo: Laura Wolff Photography (Twitter: @laurawolffphoto)
