Milwaukee Brewers minor leaguer Julio Mendez hit by pitch that leads to heart attack

Milwaukee Brewers minor league infielder Julio Mendez suffered a heart attack Saturday night after being hit by a pitch in the chest.

The 20-year-old Mendez, who plays for the Brewers' rookie club in the Arizona League, is in critical but stable condition, the major league team announced Sunday.

"All of our thoughts and prayers are with Julio and his family," Brewers general manager David Stearns said in a statement. "We will provide updates as soon as we know more."

Mendez experienced a cardiac event after being struck on a ball thrown by Austin Krzeminksi of the Arizona League Angels in the top of the ninth inning in Tempe, Ariz. The game was called off immediately after the incident.

Krzeminski tweeted after the game, asking his followers: "If everyone could do me a favor and say a pray for Julio Mendez it would really mean a lot."

CPR was administered by medical staff on site before Mendez was transported to a local hospital.

Mendez, a native of Venezuela, has been with the Brewers' organization since 2014. He is a career .241 hitter with 27 doubles and 58 RBIs in 182 games in four minor league seasons.

Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell was told of the incident before the Brewers wrap up a three-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

"Obviously, we are thinking about him and our thoughts are with him and his family," Counsell told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel before Sunday's game. "It's a very scary situation, and we're thinking about him and trying to get updates. He's in very serious condition."