Matt Mercer
| IP | 86 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.291 |
| WHIP | 1.384 |
| BB/9 | 4.291 |
| SO/9 | 11.093 |
- Full name Matthew Donald Mercer
- Born 09/01/1996 in Tacoma, WA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Oregon
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Drafted in the 5th round (159th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018 (signed for $314,800).
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Mercer has been a mainstay in the Oregon weekend rotation the last two seasons, compiling a 12-14, 3.55 career record with 155 strikeouts and 72 walks through 200.1 career innings while also impressing in the Cape Cod League last summer. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound righthander has built up velocity through his work with the Driveline Baseball training program. Scouts have had his fastball as high as 98 mph this spring, though he sits more comfortably in the low to mid-90s. Mercer generates that velocity through a violent, high-effort delivery that he sometimes struggles to repeat, which leads some evaluators to believe he'll end up as a reliever long term. He pairs that fastball with a low-80s breaking ball that has flashed plus when he's consistent with his release point. Mercer exhibits confidence in his mid-80s, split-like changeup, which he uses liberally to both lefthanded and righthanded hitters--at times burying it down and in against righties as an out-pitch. That three-pitch mix gives Mercer an appealing starter's arsenal, but he'll need to prove he can repeat his effortful delivery--and stay healthy--to stay out of the bullpen at the next level.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: Mercer was undrafted out of high school after needing Tommy John the summer before his senior year and went 635 days--he counted--before pitching in his next game. After three years at Oregon, he finally got the call in the fifth round in 2018, then proceeded to turn in an impressive pro debut, capped by a dominant 12-up, 12-down performance in a Northwest League playoff start.
Scouting Report: Mercer uncoils an aggressive delivery from an undersized but athletic frame, using a short arm action with an extremely fast arm stroke. His fastball sits in the 93-95 mph range, topping at 97. His high spin rate allows him to use his fastball effectively up in the zone, something he was discouraged from doing at Oregon but began incorporating more often in pro ball. His changeup, a potential plus pitch, comes out of the same slot and has downward action with armside run. His curveball shows flashes of developing into an above-average pitch. Mercer's delivery and size raise questions about whether he can maintain his stuff throughout a long season as a starter.
The Future: Mercer should be in the mix for a rotation spot in high Class A Visalia to start 2019.
Draft Prospects
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Mercer has been a mainstay in the Oregon weekend rotation the last two seasons, compiling a 12-14, 3.55 career record with 155 strikeouts and 72 walks through 200.1 career innings while also impressing in the Cape Cod League last summer. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound righthander has built up velocity through his work with the Driveline Baseball training program. Scouts have had his fastball as high as 98 mph this spring, though he sits more comfortably in the low to mid-90s. Mercer generates that velocity through a violent, high-effort delivery that he sometimes struggles to repeat, which leads some evaluators to believe he'll end up as a reliever long term. He pairs that fastball with a low-80s breaking ball that has flashed plus when he's consistent with his release point. Mercer exhibits confidence in his mid-80s, split-like changeup, which he uses liberally to both lefthanded and righthanded hitters--at times burying it down and in against righties as an out-pitch. That three-pitch mix gives Mercer an appealing starter's arsenal, but he'll need to prove he can repeat his effortful delivery--and stay healthy--to stay out of the bullpen at the next level.
