Jordy Mercer: Flying under the Radar?
by Roberto on May 23, 2011 12:46 PM EDT
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PrintThose of you who obsessively watch the Altoona statistics have noted that Jordy Mercer heated up considerably in May. He moved from an OPS of 579 in April to an OPS of 991 through yesterday in May. Drafted as a true shortstop with some pop, Mercer has not really dazzled as yet. Sure he hit better than d'Arnaud last year, but that's not saying a whole lot.
The flip side is that there has been fairly steady improvement. The strikeout rate has been fairly steadily trending down during his tenure in the minors, and the walk rate has been trending up. Mercer appears to be a better shortstop than d'Arnaud. The weak stats that we have show Mercer with a 4.71 Range Factor per 9 innings and a fielding percentage of 0.965. For d'Arnaud the numbers are 4.24 and 0.955. Anyone have personal info or better data to help make this comparison?
The issue has been lack of pop. Mercer has an Isolated Power number of 0.127 thus far. In contrast, d'Arnaud is at 0.143 for his career (and right there this year). So far this year everything is working for Mercer. If he keeps hitting like this he's going to be pushing some people.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.
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He's 24 and repeating a level.
I’m glad that he’s heated up, but that offensive improvement needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
Several I think
Although the repetition involves roster management as much as anything.
Viva Clemente!
+1
Exactly what I was going to say.
Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?
http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained
by Kosstic518 on May 23, 2011 5:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
for what its worth, ive seen mercer for two years, and the ball does jump off his bat.
not to the level of a cunningham, but its still a nice sounding thwack when he gets all of it.
Jordy Mercer will have to be given a chance
at Indy sometime this year.
He’ll be an Indy regular for sure next year but im afraid he’s a AAAA infielder.
There's certainly a chance of that.
Right now this issue would be who sits in Indy: Harrison, d’Arnaud, or Ciriaco (when he’s back)?
Viva Clemente!
Ciriaco moves to super utility
Mercer and D’Arnaud rotate MI. There’s a decent chance Wood flames out in the next 6 weeks and Ciriaco sticks anyways.
I would guess
Ciriaco is going to be released if d’Arnaud is not up with the Pirates by the time Mercer goes to Indy.
Is Pedro out of options after this year?
I’d rather just put him on the Indy bench either way, and as noted above Wood is a high flame out risk by the time Mercer is ready for AAA.
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