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==Early life==
==Early life==
Mervis was born in Washington, D.C., to Jeffrey Mervis and Ellen Van Bergen.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://goduke.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-mervis/15659 | title=Matt Mervis - 2020 - Baseball }}</ref> He has one older brother and a younger sister.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://goduke.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-mervis/15659 | title=Matt Mervis - 2020 - Baseball }}</ref> He was raised in [[Potomac, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://goduke.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-mervis/15659 | title=Matt Mervis - 2020 - Baseball }}</ref>
Mervis was born in Washington, D.C., to Jeffrey Mervis and Ellen Van Bergen.<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://goduke.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-mervis/15659 | title=Matt Mervis - 2020 - Baseball }}</ref> He has one older brother and a younger sister.<ref name="auto"/> He was raised in [[Potomac, Maryland]].<ref name="auto"/>
==Amateur career==
==Amateur career==
Mervis attended [[Georgetown Preparatory School]] in [[North Bethesda, Maryland]], where he played baseball. As a junior in 2015, he hit .409 with 39 RBIs while as a pitcher he had a 0.10 ERA.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://goduke.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-mervis/15659 | title=Matt Mervis - 2020 - Baseball }}</ref> In 2016, as a senior, he batted .348 with two home runs while also posting a 1.13 ERA with 121 strikeouts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/recruiting-insider/wp/2016/06/08/mlb-draft-oaktons-joe-rizzo-flint-hills-khalil-lee-lead-local-prospects/ |title=MLB draft: Oakton's Joe Rizzo, Flint Hill's Khalil Lee lead local prospects |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2016-06-08 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> He earned spots on the 2014 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American High Honorable Mention, 2015 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American Second Team, and 2016 Perfect Game Preseason Atlantic-All Region First Team, and threw a 92&nbsp;mph [[fastball]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=356334 | title=Matt Mervis Class of 2016 - Player Profile &#124; Perfect Game USA }}</ref> He was drafted by the [[Washington Nationals]] in the 39th round of the [[2016 Major League Baseball draft]], but did not sign.<ref name="baseball-reference.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mervis000mat | title=Matt Mervis Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics }}</ref> That summer, he played with the [[Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts]] of the [[Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League]], and slashed .411/.469/.643 over 15 games, with his batting average leading the league and his [[on-base percentage]] and [[on-base plus slugging]] ranking third and second, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=675324f7 | title=2016 Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League Batting Leaders }}</ref>
Mervis attended [[Georgetown Preparatory School]] in [[North Bethesda, Maryland]], where he played baseball. As a junior in 2015, he hit .409 with 39 RBIs while as a pitcher he had a 0.10 ERA.<ref name="auto"/> In 2016, as a senior, he batted .348 with two home runs while also posting a 1.13 ERA with 121 strikeouts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/recruiting-insider/wp/2016/06/08/mlb-draft-oaktons-joe-rizzo-flint-hills-khalil-lee-lead-local-prospects/ |title=MLB draft: Oakton's Joe Rizzo, Flint Hill's Khalil Lee lead local prospects |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2016-06-08 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> He earned spots on the 2014 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American High Honorable Mention, 2015 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American Second Team, and 2016 Perfect Game Preseason Atlantic-All Region First Team, and threw a 92&nbsp;mph [[fastball]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=356334 | title=Matt Mervis Class of 2016 - Player Profile &#124; Perfect Game USA }}</ref> He was drafted by the [[Washington Nationals]] in the 39th round of the [[2016 Major League Baseball draft]], but did not sign.<ref name="baseball-reference.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mervis000mat | title=Matt Mervis Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics }}</ref> That summer, he played with the [[Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts]] of the [[Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League]], and slashed .411/.469/.643 over 15 games, with his batting average leading the league and his [[on-base percentage]] and [[on-base plus slugging]] ranking third and second, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=675324f7 | title=2016 Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League Batting Leaders }}</ref>


After high school, Mervis enrolled at [[Duke University]] where he majored in political science and played four years of [[college baseball]] as a [[pitcher]], [[first baseman]], and [[third baseman]].<ref>https://s3.amazonaws.com/goduke.com/documents/2020/8/12/2019_2020_Annual_Report.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=September 2022}}</ref><ref name="desmoinesregister.com"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2016/06/11/nationals-day-3-draft-wrap-college-pitchers-win-the-day/ |title=Nationals Day 3 draft wrap: College pitchers win the day |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2016-06-11 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> In 2017, his freshman year at Duke, he had two doubles over six [[at-bat]]s while pitching to a 2-2 record with a 7.83 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 23 innings.<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/> That summer, he briefly played for both the New Bedford BaySox of the [[New England Collegiate Baseball League]] and the [[Hyannis Harbor Hawks]] of the [[Cape Cod Baseball League]].<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/> As a sophomore with Duke in 2019, he collected one hit over four at-bats while going 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA and 21 strikeouts over {{fraction|25|2|3}} innings.<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/> That summer, he played for the [[Kalamazoo Growlers]] of the [[Northwoods League]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/sports/2022/05/27/south-bend-cubs-matt-mervis-tennessee-smokies/9823441002/ | title=South Bend Cubs Matt Mervis hot start gets him called up to Tennessee Smokies }}</ref> He slashed .316/.395/.450 over 171 over at-bats with 27 runs, 11 doubles, four home runs, 28 RBIs, 22 walks, and four sacrifice flies, ending the season in the top five in each statistic, except on-base percentage, where he ranked seventh.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=91a960cf | title=2018 Kalamazoo Growlers Statistics }}</ref> During his junior season at Duke in 2019, he pitched in seven games in which he was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA and eight strikeouts over {{fraction|8|1|3}} innings, while batting .274/.358/.421 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 190 at-bats and 48 starts.<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://goduke.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-mervis/15659 | title=Matt Mervis - 2020 - Baseball }}</ref> That summer, he played with the [[Cotuit Kettleers]] of the Cape Cod Baseball League where he slashed .325/.418/.571 with four home runs over 77 at-bats with 24 RBIs and was named a league all-star. His batting average and on-base percentage were third in the league with his on-base plus slugging ranking tenth and his 24 RBIs ranking eighth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=1385219&seasonid=32458 |title=#47 Matthew Mervis |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=June 14, 2022}}</ref> Prior to a shortened senior season at Duke in 2020, he was named the 19th-best senior in the country by ''Perfect Game''and was selected as team captain.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://goduke.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-mervis/15659 | title=Matt Mervis - 2020 - Baseball }}</ref> He batted .304/.458/.589 with three home runs over 16 games while playing first base and pitching two scoreless innings in two games before the season was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/>
After high school, Mervis enrolled at [[Duke University]] where he majored in political science and played four years of [[college baseball]] as a [[pitcher]], [[first baseman]], and [[third baseman]].<ref>https://s3.amazonaws.com/goduke.com/documents/2020/8/12/2019_2020_Annual_Report.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=September 2022}}</ref><ref name="desmoinesregister.com"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2016/06/11/nationals-day-3-draft-wrap-college-pitchers-win-the-day/ |title=Nationals Day 3 draft wrap: College pitchers win the day |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2016-06-11 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> In 2017, his freshman year at Duke, he had two doubles over six [[at-bat]]s while pitching to a 2-2 record with a 7.83 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 23 innings.<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/> That summer, he briefly played for both the New Bedford BaySox of the [[New England Collegiate Baseball League]] and the [[Hyannis Harbor Hawks]] of the [[Cape Cod Baseball League]].<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/> As a sophomore with Duke in 2019, he collected one hit over four at-bats while going 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA and 21 strikeouts over {{fraction|25|2|3}} innings.<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/> That summer, he played for the [[Kalamazoo Growlers]] of the [[Northwoods League]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/sports/2022/05/27/south-bend-cubs-matt-mervis-tennessee-smokies/9823441002/ | title=South Bend Cubs Matt Mervis hot start gets him called up to Tennessee Smokies }}</ref> He slashed .316/.395/.450 over 171 over at-bats with 27 runs, 11 doubles, four home runs, 28 RBIs, 22 walks, and four sacrifice flies, ending the season in the top five in each statistic, except on-base percentage, where he ranked seventh.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=91a960cf | title=2018 Kalamazoo Growlers Statistics }}</ref> During his junior season at Duke in 2019, he pitched in seven games in which he was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA and eight strikeouts over {{fraction|8|1|3}} innings, while batting .274/.358/.421 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 190 at-bats and 48 starts.<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/><ref name="auto"/> That summer, he played with the [[Cotuit Kettleers]] of the Cape Cod Baseball League where he slashed .325/.418/.571 with four home runs over 77 at-bats with 24 RBIs and was named a league all-star. His batting average and on-base percentage were third in the league with his on-base plus slugging ranking tenth and his 24 RBIs ranking eighth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=1385219&seasonid=32458 |title=#47 Matthew Mervis |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=June 14, 2022}}</ref> Prior to a shortened senior season at Duke in 2020, he was named the 19th-best senior in the country by ''Perfect Game''and was selected as team captain.<ref name="auto"/> He batted .304/.458/.589 with three home runs over 16 games while playing first base and pitching two scoreless innings in two games before the season was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/>


==Professional career==
==Professional career==
Mervis went unselected in the [[2020 Major League Baseball draft]], and signed with the [[Chicago Cubs]] as an undrafted free agent as a first baseman.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://balldurham.com/2020/06/15/duke-baseball-standout-matt-mervis-signs-chicago-cubs-udfa/ | title=Duke baseball standout Matt Mervis signs with Chicago Cubs as UDFA | date=June 15, 2020 }}</ref> Due to the unique rules of the shortened draft, Mervis was only able to make $20,000 upon signing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2020/06/duke-baseball-mlb-draft-undrafted-free-agent-matt-mervis-chicago-cubs |title=Duke baseball's Matt Mervis, Thomas Girard sign as undrafted free agents - The Chronicle |work=Duke Chronicle|date=2020-06-15 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> He made his professional debut in 2021 with the [[Myrtle Beach Pelicans]] of the [[Low-A East]], and also played in three games with the [[Iowa Cubs]] of the [[Triple-A East]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Augusta GreenJackets |url=https://www.wrdw.com/2021/07/08/pelicans-ride-big-first-inning-7-5-victory/ |title=Pelicans Ride Big First Inning to 7-5 Victory |publisher=Wrdw.com |date=2021-07-08 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> Over 72 games between both teams, he batted .208 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs.<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/><ref name="desmoinesregister.com"/>
Mervis went unselected in the [[2020 Major League Baseball draft]], and signed with the [[Chicago Cubs]] as an undrafted free agent as a first baseman.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://balldurham.com/2020/06/15/duke-baseball-standout-matt-mervis-signs-chicago-cubs-udfa/ | title=Duke baseball standout Matt Mervis signs with Chicago Cubs as UDFA | date=June 15, 2020 }}</ref> Due to the unique rules of the shortened draft, Mervis was only able to make $20,000 upon signing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2020/06/duke-baseball-mlb-draft-undrafted-free-agent-matt-mervis-chicago-cubs |title=Duke baseball's Matt Mervis, Thomas Girard sign as undrafted free agents - The Chronicle |work=Duke Chronicle|date=2020-06-15 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> He made his professional debut in 2021 with the [[Myrtle Beach Pelicans]] of the [[Low-A East]], and also played in three games with the [[Iowa Cubs]] of the [[Triple-A East]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Augusta GreenJackets |url=https://www.wrdw.com/2021/07/08/pelicans-ride-big-first-inning-7-5-victory/ |title=Pelicans Ride Big First Inning to 7-5 Victory |publisher=Wrdw.com |date=2021-07-08 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> Over 72 games between both teams, he batted .208 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs.<ref name="baseball-reference.com"/><ref name="desmoinesregister.com"/>
Mervis opened the 2022 season with the [[South Bend Cubs]] of the [[High-A]] [[Midwest League]], for whom he batted .350/.389/.650 with seven home runs and 29 RBI over 27 games. He was promoted to the [[Tennessee Smokies]] of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Southern League (1964–present)|Southern League]] in mid-May, for whom Mervis batted .300/.370/.596 with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 16 doubles over 53 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/sports/2022/05/27/south-bend-cubs-matt-mervis-tennessee-smokies/9823441002/ |title=South Bend Cubs' Matt Mervis' great start gets him moved up to AA |work=South Bend Tribune |date= |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> In mid-July, he was promoted to Iowa, now members of the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[International League]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/cubs-matt-mervis-road-from-undrafted-to-red-hot-prospect/2886895/ | title=Cubs' Matt Mervis' Road from Undrafted to Red-Hot Prospect }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-mervis-finishing-breakout-triple-a-season-with-cubs | title=Mervis' power (33 HRS) continues to impress | website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref> The Cubs named him their Minor League Player of the Month for August 2022, during which he batted .305 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .926 [[OPS]] for Iowa.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cubsinsider.com/2022/09/04/cubs-name-matt-mervis-milb-player-of-month-walker-powell-pitcher-of-month-for-august/ | title=Cubs Name Matt Mervis MiLB Player of Month, Walker Powell Pitcher of Month for August | date=September 4, 2022 }}</ref> Over 57 games with Iowa to end the season, he hit .297 with 15 home runs and 39 RBIs. His combined season totals between South Bend, Tennessee, and Iowa included a .309/.379/.605 slash line with 40 doubles, 36 home runs, and 119 RBIs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/player/matt-mervis-670223?season=2022&team=451 | title=Matt Mervis Stats, Fantasy & News }}</ref> He led all of the minor leagues with his 119 RBIs, and also led the minors in [[extra base hit]]s, with 78.<ref>[https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/vaun-brown-moises-gomez-finish-season-among-milb-kings/]</ref>
Mervis opened the 2022 season with the [[South Bend Cubs]] of the [[High-A]] [[Midwest League]], for whom he batted .350/.389/.650 with seven home runs and 29 RBI over 27 games. He was promoted to the [[Tennessee Smokies]] of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Southern League (1964–present)|Southern League]] in mid-May, for whom Mervis batted .300/.370/.596 with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 16 doubles over 53 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/sports/2022/05/27/south-bend-cubs-matt-mervis-tennessee-smokies/9823441002/ |title=South Bend Cubs' Matt Mervis' great start gets him moved up to AA |work=South Bend Tribune |date= |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref> In mid-July, he was promoted to Iowa, now members of the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[International League]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/cubs-matt-mervis-road-from-undrafted-to-red-hot-prospect/2886895/ | title=Cubs' Matt Mervis' Road from Undrafted to Red-Hot Prospect }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-mervis-finishing-breakout-triple-a-season-with-cubs | title=Mervis' power (33 HRS) continues to impress | website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref> The Cubs named him their Minor League Player of the Month for August 2022, during which he batted .305 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .926 [[OPS]] for Iowa.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cubsinsider.com/2022/09/04/cubs-name-matt-mervis-milb-player-of-month-walker-powell-pitcher-of-month-for-august/ | title=Cubs Name Matt Mervis MiLB Player of Month, Walker Powell Pitcher of Month for August | date=September 4, 2022 }}</ref> Over 57 games with Iowa to end the season, he hit .297 with 15 home runs and 39 RBIs. His combined season totals between South Bend, Tennessee, and Iowa included a .309/.379/.605 slash line with 40 doubles, 36 home runs, and 119 RBIs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/player/matt-mervis-670223?season=2022&team=451 | title=Matt Mervis Stats, Fantasy & News }}</ref> He led all of the minor leagues with his 119 RBIs, and also led the minors in [[extra base hit]]s, with 78.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/vaun-brown-moises-gomez-finish-season-among-milb-kings/|title=Vaun Brown, Moises Gomez Finish Season Among MiLB Kings|first=B. A.|last=Staff|website=www.baseballamerica.com}}</ref>


He was selected to play for the [[Mesa Solar Sox]] in the 2022 [[Arizona Fall League]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/9/14/23353235/brennen-davis-matt-mervis-cubs-arizona-fall-league | title=Brennen Davis, Matt Mervis among 7 Cubs going to the Arizona Fall League | date=September 14, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/chicago_cubs_prospect_matt_mervis_maintains_torrid_pace/s1_17090_37871795 | title=Chicago Cubs Prospect Matt Mervis Maintains Torrid Pace | date=September 12, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/can-cubs-prospect-matt-mervis-become-next-anthony-rizzo | title=Is Cubs prospect Matt Mervis 'the next Anthony Rizzo'? }}</ref> Jared Banner, Chicago's vice president of player development, said: "He has premium bat speed. His bat stays in the zone for a long time. And he is strong."<ref name="desmoinesregister.com"/>
He was selected to play for the [[Mesa Solar Sox]] in the 2022 [[Arizona Fall League]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/9/14/23353235/brennen-davis-matt-mervis-cubs-arizona-fall-league | title=Brennen Davis, Matt Mervis among 7 Cubs going to the Arizona Fall League | date=September 14, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/chicago_cubs_prospect_matt_mervis_maintains_torrid_pace/s1_17090_37871795 | title=Chicago Cubs Prospect Matt Mervis Maintains Torrid Pace | date=September 12, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/can-cubs-prospect-matt-mervis-become-next-anthony-rizzo | title=Is Cubs prospect Matt Mervis 'the next Anthony Rizzo'? }}</ref> Jared Banner, Chicago's vice president of player development, said: "He has premium bat speed. His bat stays in the zone for a long time. And he is strong."<ref name="desmoinesregister.com"/>

Revision as of 09:01, 5 October 2022

Matt Mervis
Mervis with the Iowa Cubs in 2022
Chicago Cubs
First baseman
Born: (1998-04-16) April 16, 1998 (age 26)
Washington, D.C.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Matthew Jared Mervis (born April 16, 1998), nicknamed Mash,[1][2][3] is an American professional baseball first baseman in the Chicago Cubs organization.

Early life

Mervis was born in Washington, D.C., to Jeffrey Mervis and Ellen Van Bergen.[4] He has one older brother and a younger sister.[4] He was raised in Potomac, Maryland.[4]

Amateur career

Mervis attended Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, where he played baseball. As a junior in 2015, he hit .409 with 39 RBIs while as a pitcher he had a 0.10 ERA.[4] In 2016, as a senior, he batted .348 with two home runs while also posting a 1.13 ERA with 121 strikeouts.[5] He earned spots on the 2014 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American High Honorable Mention, 2015 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American Second Team, and 2016 Perfect Game Preseason Atlantic-All Region First Team, and threw a 92 mph fastball in 2015.[6] He was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 39th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.[7] That summer, he played with the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, and slashed .411/.469/.643 over 15 games, with his batting average leading the league and his on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging ranking third and second, respectively.[8]

After high school, Mervis enrolled at Duke University where he majored in political science and played four years of college baseball as a pitcher, first baseman, and third baseman.[9][3][10] In 2017, his freshman year at Duke, he had two doubles over six at-bats while pitching to a 2-2 record with a 7.83 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 23 innings.[7] That summer, he briefly played for both the New Bedford BaySox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League and the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[7] As a sophomore with Duke in 2019, he collected one hit over four at-bats while going 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 25+2⁄3 innings.[7] That summer, he played for the Kalamazoo Growlers of the Northwoods League.[11] He slashed .316/.395/.450 over 171 over at-bats with 27 runs, 11 doubles, four home runs, 28 RBIs, 22 walks, and four sacrifice flies, ending the season in the top five in each statistic, except on-base percentage, where he ranked seventh.[12] During his junior season at Duke in 2019, he pitched in seven games in which he was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA and eight strikeouts over 8+1⁄3 innings, while batting .274/.358/.421 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 190 at-bats and 48 starts.[7][4] That summer, he played with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League where he slashed .325/.418/.571 with four home runs over 77 at-bats with 24 RBIs and was named a league all-star. His batting average and on-base percentage were third in the league with his on-base plus slugging ranking tenth and his 24 RBIs ranking eighth.[13] Prior to a shortened senior season at Duke in 2020, he was named the 19th-best senior in the country by Perfect Gameand was selected as team captain.[4] He batted .304/.458/.589 with three home runs over 16 games while playing first base and pitching two scoreless innings in two games before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

Professional career

Mervis went unselected in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft, and signed with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent as a first baseman.[14] Due to the unique rules of the shortened draft, Mervis was only able to make $20,000 upon signing.[15] He made his professional debut in 2021 with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Low-A East, and also played in three games with the Iowa Cubs of the Triple-A East.[16] Over 72 games between both teams, he batted .208 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs.[7][3]

Mervis opened the 2022 season with the South Bend Cubs of the High-A Midwest League, for whom he batted .350/.389/.650 with seven home runs and 29 RBI over 27 games. He was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies of the Double-A Southern League in mid-May, for whom Mervis batted .300/.370/.596 with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 16 doubles over 53 games.[17] In mid-July, he was promoted to Iowa, now members of the Triple-A International League.[18][19] The Cubs named him their Minor League Player of the Month for August 2022, during which he batted .305 with a .390 on-base percentage and a .926 OPS for Iowa.[20] Over 57 games with Iowa to end the season, he hit .297 with 15 home runs and 39 RBIs. His combined season totals between South Bend, Tennessee, and Iowa included a .309/.379/.605 slash line with 40 doubles, 36 home runs, and 119 RBIs.[21] He led all of the minor leagues with his 119 RBIs, and also led the minors in extra base hits, with 78.[22]

He was selected to play for the Mesa Solar Sox in the 2022 Arizona Fall League.[23][24][25] Jared Banner, Chicago's vice president of player development, said: "He has premium bat speed. His bat stays in the zone for a long time. And he is strong."[3]

References

  1. ^ "Mervis keeps mashing, Davis' return off to good start".
  2. ^ "Matt "Mash" Mervis, Walker Powell named organization Minor League player, pitcher of month | Chicago Cubs News". September 4, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "How Matt Mervis became the biggest surprise in Chicago Cubs' farm system". The Des Moines Register.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Matt Mervis - 2020 - Baseball".
  5. ^ "MLB draft: Oakton's Joe Rizzo, Flint Hill's Khalil Lee lead local prospects". The Washington Post. 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  6. ^ "Matt Mervis Class of 2016 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA".
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Matt Mervis Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics".
  8. ^ "2016 Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League Batting Leaders".
  9. ^ https://s3.amazonaws.com/goduke.com/documents/2020/8/12/2019_2020_Annual_Report.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  10. ^ "Nationals Day 3 draft wrap: College pitchers win the day". The Washington Post. 2016-06-11. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  11. ^ "South Bend Cubs Matt Mervis hot start gets him called up to Tennessee Smokies".
  12. ^ "2018 Kalamazoo Growlers Statistics".
  13. ^ "#47 Matthew Mervis". pointstreak.com. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  14. ^ "Duke baseball standout Matt Mervis signs with Chicago Cubs as UDFA". June 15, 2020.
  15. ^ "Duke baseball's Matt Mervis, Thomas Girard sign as undrafted free agents - The Chronicle". Duke Chronicle. 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  16. ^ Augusta GreenJackets (2021-07-08). "Pelicans Ride Big First Inning to 7-5 Victory". Wrdw.com. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  17. ^ "South Bend Cubs' Matt Mervis' great start gets him moved up to AA". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  18. ^ "Cubs' Matt Mervis' Road from Undrafted to Red-Hot Prospect".
  19. ^ "Mervis' power (33 HRS) continues to impress". MLB.com.
  20. ^ "Cubs Name Matt Mervis MiLB Player of Month, Walker Powell Pitcher of Month for August". September 4, 2022.
  21. ^ "Matt Mervis Stats, Fantasy & News".
  22. ^ Staff, B. A. "Vaun Brown, Moises Gomez Finish Season Among MiLB Kings". www.baseballamerica.com.
  23. ^ "Brennen Davis, Matt Mervis among 7 Cubs going to the Arizona Fall League". September 14, 2022.
  24. ^ "Chicago Cubs Prospect Matt Mervis Maintains Torrid Pace". September 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "Is Cubs prospect Matt Mervis 'the next Anthony Rizzo'?".
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