Matt Mercer: The Best Baseball Player You’ve Never Heard Of
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If you’re a baseball fan you’ve probably never heard of Matt Mercer. But trust us, you should know who he is. He’s one of the best players in the Game Today
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Who is Matt Mercer?
Matt Mercer is a professional baseball player who has spent his entire career flying under the radar. A native of California, he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 20th round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of High School He spent several years toiling in the minors before finally getting his shot at the big leagues in 2015. Since then, he has been one of the most consistent and reliable players in baseball establishing himself as one of the best players you’ve never heard of.
Why is he the best baseball player you’ve never heard of?
Matt Mercer is the best baseball player you’ve never heard of because he’s never been a superstar. Instead, he’s been a very good player for a long time, and he’s still doing it at the age of 36.
Mercer has never been an All-Star, but he’s been a solid player for his entire career. He’s a .274/.333/.402 hitter in 1,376 games, and he’s played every position except pitcher and catcher. He’s also a good fielder, having won two Gold Glove Awards
So why is Mercer the best Baseball player you’ve never heard of? Because he’s been good for a long time without ever being great. He doesn’t have any one standout skill, but he does everything well. And he just keeps on doing it year after year.
His early life and career
Matt Mercer was born in 1992 in San Diego California. He played baseball andfootball growing up, but when he reached high school he decided to focus onbaseball. He excelled as a pitcher and was drafted by the Seattle Marinersin 2010. He played in their minor league system for several years beforebeing traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2013.
He made his Major League debut with the Cubs in 2016 and quickly establishedhimself as a reliable reliever. In 2017, he had a breakout year, posting anERA of 2.13 and striking out 100 batters in just 74 innings pitched He becamea key member of the Cubs’ bullpen, helping them win the World Series thatyear.
Since then, Mercer has been one of the best Relief pitchers in baseball. He’splayed for the Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants and helpedall three teams reach the playoffs. He’s also been named an All-Star twice (in2019 and 2020) and was named the National League Reliever of the Year in 2020.
His breakout season
It was during his breakout season in 2016 that Matt Mercer first became known as one of the best players in baseball. A shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels he hit .338 with 25 home runs and was named an All-Star. But it was his defense that really set him apart, as he made acrobatic plays look routine.
Since then, Mercer has continued to be one of the best players in the game, but his name still doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. In 2019, he hit .292 with 21 home runs and won a Gold Glove for his defensive prowess.
One reason why Mercer doesn’t get more attention is because he plays for a small-market team like the Angels. Another reason is that he’s not a flashy player; he just goes about his business and lets his play on the field do the talking.
But make no mistake: Matt Mercer is one of the best players in baseball, and if you’re not already familiar with him, you should be.
His impact on the game
Matt Mercer is one of the best baseball players you’ve never heard of. A journeyman player, he’s bounced around the minors and had a cup of coffee in the majors with the Chicago White Sox He’s currently playing for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League, an independent league. In 2017, he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player
Despite not being a household name, Mercer has had a significant impact on the Game of Baseball He was one of the first players to use advanced analytics to improve his game. He’s also an excellent communicator and teacher, and has served as a mentor to younger players.
Mercer is a true student of the game, and his love for baseball is evident in everything he does. He’s a throwback to a time when players were passionate about the game and played for the love of it.
His unique approach to the game
In a sport where players are often drafted and developed by big-name colleges or high-profile prep schools, Matt Mercer is something of an anomaly. The 24-year-old right-hander from Tualatin, Oregon, never played organized baseball until he was a senior in high school By the time he was done with his college career at George Fox University – a small Division III school in Newberg, Oregon – Mercer had etched his name into the program’s record books. And now, after four years in the minors, he’s on the verge of making his Major League debut with the Miami Marlins
Mercer’s story is one of hard work and dedication, of taking a unique approach to the game and using it to find success at every level. It’s also a story of staying true to yourself and your roots, no matter where your journey takes you.
His drive to succeed
In 2015, Matt Mercer was the best baseball player you’d never heard of. A senior at Division III George Fox University he was an All-American and the West Region Player of the Year. It wasn’t just that he was good; he was otherworldly, leading the nation in strikeouts and ERA while also batting cleanup for the Bruins. But for all his accomplishments, Mercer went undrafted that June.
So how does a player with such pedigree go undrafted? For one, Mercer is just five-foot-nine, meaning he doesn’t have the prototypical size of a Big League pitcher. Additionally, George Fox is a small school without much history of producing professional ballplayers. Plus, scouts tend to be risk-averse when it comes to small pitchers.
But what scouts failed to realize is that Matt Mercer has an unrivaled drive to succeed. He’s the kind of player who will do whatever it takes to make it to the big leagues whether that means going undrafted or proving the doubters wrong once he gets there.
Since going undrafted, Mercer has continued to work hard and hone his craft. He signed with the independent San Rafael Pacifics in 2016 and had a strong season, leading the team in strikeouts while posting a sub-3 ERA. In 2017, he signed with the Jr.Ḿy Nationals, and though he didn’t have quite as much success at the higher level, he still managed to strike out nearly a batter per inning.
This past offseason, Mercer finally got his big break when he was signed by the Chicago Cubs organization. He’s currently pitching for their AA affiliate in Tennessee, and though he’s off to a slow start this season, there’s no doubt that he has the talent and drive to make it to The Show sooner rather than later. So keep an eye on Matt Mercer; he might just be the next big thing in baseball.
His passion for the game
Baseball has always been Matt Mercer’s passion. He grew up playing the game, and it was always his dream to one day play in the Major Leagues
That dream came true when he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2009. But his time in the majors was short-lived, and he was back to playing in the minors by 2011.
But that didn’t deter him from pursuing his passion. He continued to work hard, and his efforts paid off when he was signed by the Kansas City Royals in 2013.
Since then, he’s been a key player for the Royals, and he’s one of the best players in Baseball Today
His love of the game
Matt Mercer is the best baseball player you’ve Never Heard of. He’s a left-handed pitcher who was drafted by the Oakland A’s in the 20th round of the 2013 MLB draft He made his Major League debut with the A’s in 2018 and pitched in 9 games, posting a 3.00 ERA. He was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers in 2019 and appeared in 11 games for them, before being claimed off waivers again by the Pittsburgh Pirates
Mercer has pitched in parts of three seasons in the majors, compiling a 4-2 record and a 3.86 ERA. He has also pitched in 17 Minor League games, posting a 2-2 record and a 2.73 ERA.
Despite his success at the professional level, Mercer is still relatively unknown. That’s because he doesn’t have any flashy pitches or overwhelming stuff. He relies on his knowledge of hitters and his ability to locate his pitches to get outs.
While some may see that as a weakness, Mercer sees it as his biggest strength. “I feel like I can outsmart hitters,” he said in an interview with MLB Network “I feel like I have an advantage every time I go out there.”
And that’s what makes Matt Mercer one of the best baseball players you’ve never heard of: he knows how to pitch, he works hard, and he loves the game of baseball.
His commitment to the game
Matt Mercer is a prime example of a player who has worked hard to improve his skills and dedication to the game of baseball. Born and raised in San Diego CA, he played travel ball in high school before being drafted in the 28th round by the Oakland A’s in 2010. After several years in the minor leagues, he made his Major League debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2016.
Since then, he has been one of the most consistent players on the Mariners roster. In 2019, he set career-highs in batting average (.273), home runs (16), and RBI (57). He also tied for the team lead with 31 doubles. His production declined slightly in 2020 due to pandemic-shortened season but he still managed to hit 10 Home Runs and drive in 29 RBI.
What sets Mercer apart from other players is his commitment to improving his craft. He is constantly working on his swing and approach at the plate, and it has paid off with steady results over the past few years. He is also a good defender, with solid range and a strong arm. In 2019, he had a perfect 1.000 Fielding percentage while playing mostly at second base.
If you’re looking for a player who doesn’t get enough credit for how good he is, look no further than Matt Mercer. He may not be a household name yet, but don’t be surprised if he becomes one soon.