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Jordy Mercer

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Jordy Mercer
Mercer with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 10
Shortstop
Born: (1986-08-27) August 27, 1986 (age 38)
Seiling, Oklahoma
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 29, 2012, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
(through May 13, 2016)
Batting average.259
Hits366
Home runs25
Runs batted in135
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Jordy Mercer
Medal record
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2007 Cidade do Rock Team
Silver medal – second place 2011 Guadalajara Team
World Port Tournament
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Rotterdam Team

Jordy Joe Mercer (born August 27, 1986) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball for Oklahoma State University. He has also competed for the United States national baseball team in international competition. Mercer bats and throws right-handed.

Career

Amateur career

Mercer attended Taloga High School in Taloga, Oklahoma. Mercer earned All-State honors in high school and played three seasons starting at shortstop for the Elk City Travelers of Oklahoma amateur baseball organization. Out of high school, the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Mercer in the 26th round (796th overall) of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft. Mercer did not sign, as he did not feel ready for professional baseball.[1] Mercer attended Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, where he played baseball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball team in the Big 12 Conference. At Oklahoma State, Mercer was a shortstop and pitcher, serving as the team's closer. He was named to the Big 12 All-Star Team as a utility player in 2006 and 2008.[2] He set the Oklahoma State record for saves.[1]

International career

In the summer of 2007, following his sophomore year at Oklahoma State, Mercer joined the U.S. national baseball team.[3] He competed in the 2007 Pan American Games, winning silver, and 2007 World Port Tournament, winning silver.

Mercer competed for the U.S. team in the 2011 Pan American Games, winning silver. He also competed for the U.S. in the 2011 Baseball World Cup.[4]

Professional career

The Pirates drafted Mercer in the third round, with the 79th overall selection, of the 2008 MLB draft, choosing him as a shortstop.[1] He began his professional career that season with the State College Spikes of the Class-A Short Season New York–Penn League, before he was promoted to the Hickory Crawdads of the Class-A South Atlantic League. In 2009, Mercer played for the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Class-A Advanced Carolina League, finishing fifth in the Carolina League and second in the Pirates' farm system with 83 runs batted in (RBI).[5] He was promoted to the Altoona Curve of the Double-A Eastern League in 2010. He began the 2010 season with Altoona, before receiving a promotion to the Indianapolis Indians of the Triple-A of the International League. The Pirates added him to their 40-man roster after the 2011 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[6]

On May 29, 2012, the Pirates optioned Yamaico Navarro to Indianapolis and promoted Mercer to the major leagues.[7] Mercer recorded his first major league hit off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto on May 30, 2012. Mercer got only 9 at-bats with the Pirates before being sent back to Indianapolis on June 24, 2012.[8]

On May 3, 2013, Mercer was called up from Indianapolis and led the Pirates to a 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals with a two-run home run.[9] On May 11, 2013 he had his first multiple home run game with two home runs against the New York Mets.[10] Mercer was sent back to Indianapolis when Neil Walker was activated from the disabled list on May 13.[11] Mercer was recalled on May 15 when John McDonald was placed on the disabled list.[12]

Mercer was named the new Pirates starting shortstop for the 2014 season, with Clint Barmes becoming his backup.[13][14]

Mercer competed with Korean rookie Jung-ho Kang for playing time in 2015.[15] On July 19, 2015, Mercer suffered a leg contusion and sprained medial collateral ligament after being slid into a second base by Brewers outfielder Carlos Gómez.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c "OSU's Mercer taken in third round". Tulsa World. June 6, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  2. ^ "The Q&A: Jordy Mercer". The Oklahoman. May 17, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  3. ^ "Cowboys' Mercer playing on USA National Team". The Oklahoman. June 26, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  4. ^ Biertempfel, Rob; Price, Karen (September 16, 2011). "Mercer named to the 2011 World Cup/Pan Am team". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  5. ^ "Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes – OurSports Central – Independent and Minor League Sports News". OurSports Central. September 9, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  6. ^ "Six minor leaguers join Pirates 40-man roster". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 19, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  7. ^ Singer, Tom. "Bucs promote hot-hitting Mercer from Indy". MLB.comdate=May 30, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  8. ^ Singer, Tom (June 24, 2012). "Sutton's return highlights flurry of roster moves". MLB.com. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  9. ^ "AAA call-up Jordy Mercer leads Pirates past Nationals". Chicago Tribune. Reuters. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  10. ^ "Pirates 11, Mets 2". mlb.com. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  11. ^ Sanserino, Michael (May 13, 2013). "Pirates activate Walker, option Mercer to Indianapolis". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  12. ^ Brink, Bill (May 15, 2013). "Pirates put John McDonald on DL, recall Mercer from Indianapolis". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  13. ^ "Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer matriculating in School of Clint Barmes". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  14. ^ "Mercer's improved defense at shortstop gives Pirates a boost". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  15. ^ "With Pittsburgh Pirates' Jung Ho Kang in lineup, Jordy Mercer gets fewer reps". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  16. ^ "UPDATE: Jordy Mercer out six weeks with leg contusion and MCL sprain – HardballTalk". nbcsports.com. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
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