Oscar Mercado

Oscar M. Mercado (born December 16, 1994) is a Colombian-American professional baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He represented the Colombian national baseball team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

For the Puerto Rican sailor, see Oscar Mercado (sailor).

Oscar Mercado
Mercado with the Indians in February 2020
Cleveland Indians – No. 35
Outfielder
Born: (1994-12-16) December 16, 1994
Cartagena, Colombia
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 14, 2019, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
(through August 6, 2020)
Batting average.258
Home runs15
Runs batted in57
Teams

Early life

Mercado was born in Cartagena, Colombia. His father, Oscar Sr., played soccer and worked as a general contractor. He has an older brother, Juan, and a twin sister, Nathalia. His family emigrated to the United States when he was seven years old on his father's work visa, and settled in Tampa, Florida.[1]

Mercado attended Gaither High School in Northdale, Florida.[2] He committed to play college baseball at Florida State University.[3]

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Mercado in the second round, with the 58th overall selection, of the 2013 MLB draft.[4] He signed with the Cardinals, receiving a $1.5 million signing bonus.[5][6][7]

Mercado with the Springfield Cardinals in 2017

After signing, Mercado made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Cardinals of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, batting .209 with one home run and 14 runs batted in (RBIs) in 42 games played. In 2014, he played for the Johnson City Cardinals of the Advanced Rookie-level Appalachian League, where he hit .224 with three home runs, 25 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases in 60 games, and in 2015, he played with the Peoria Chiefs of the Class A Midwest League, where he compiled a .254 batting average with four home runs, 44 RBIs, and 50 stolen bases in 117 games. In 2016, he played for the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, where he switched from playing shortstop to outfielder.[8] There, he batted .215 with 27 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 125 games.

Mercado played for the Colombian national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He spent the 2017 season with the Springfield Cardinals of the Class AA Texas League,[9] where he slashed .287/.341/.428 with 13 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 38 stolen bases in 120 games.[10] After the season, the Cardinals assigned Mercado to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).[11] Mercado appeared in a total of 22 games for the Saguaros, posting a .264 batting average with 11 RBIs and six stolen bases. The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the AFL was over to protect him from being chosen in the Rule 5 Draft.[12] Mercado began 2018 with the Memphis Redbirds of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.[13]

Cleveland Indians

On July 31, 2018, the Cardinals traded Mercado to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Conner Capel and Jhon Torres.[14] He was assigned to the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League, and finished the season there. In 132 games between Memphis and Columbus, he slashed .278/.349/.390 with eight home runs, 47 RBIs, and 37 stolen bases.[15] He began the 2019 season with Columbus.[16]

The Indians promoted Mercado to the major leagues on May 14.[17] He made his major league debut that day versus the Chicago White Sox.[18]

Personal life

Mercado became an American citizen in 2018.[1]

gollark: Really, one thing will fix it, and that's TJ09 removing/modifying sickness.
gollark: I doubt ignoring it actually helps anyone at all.
gollark: Unfortunately, viewbombing.
gollark: I ¢an spoll the bestest.
gollark: SO JUST ABANDON THEM LATER

References
  1. Parsons, Kelly (March 13, 2018). "Cardinals IF/OF Oscar Mercado's biggest catch to date: citizenship". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  2. "Florida high school sports - MLB draft: Despite down season, Gaither's Mercado knows his target audience". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  3. "Oscar Mercado - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA". Perfectgame.org. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  4. Meyer, Brendan (June 6, 2013). "Cardinals draft SS Oscar Mercado in second round | Cardinal Beat". stltoday.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  5. "Florida high school sports - Gaither SS Oscar Mercado accepts $1.5 million deal with Cardinals". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  6. "From Colombia to the U.S. to the majors, Gaither's Oscar Mercado ready for draft day". MyNews13. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  7. Press Release. "Cardinals sign second-round Draft selection Oscar Mercado". Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  8. "Cardinals minor league report: Mercado shifts from shortstop to outfield | St. Louis Cardinals". stltoday.com. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  9. "Mercado Sets Record in 9-1 Cardinals Win - Story". OzarksFirst. May 4, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  10. "Oscar Mercado Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  11. Goold, Derrick. "Elite prospects Alcantara, Hicks among eight young Cards headed to AFL". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  12. "Cardinals Add 4 Players to 40-Man Roster | St. Louis Cardinals". M.cardinals.mlb.com. May 24, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  13. "PCL notes: Mercado's adjustments paying off". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  14. Post-Dispatch store. "Cardinals trade slick-fielding center fielder Mercado to Cleveland for prospects | Cardinal Beat". stltoday.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  15. "Oscar Mercado Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  16. Adam Jardy. "Clippers season preview | Veteran outfielders seeking return to big leagues - Sports - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH". Dispatch.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  17. Joe Noga (May 14, 2019). "Oscar Mercado set to join Cleveland Indians: Here's what the 24-year-old OF brings to the Tribe". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  18. "Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox Box Score, May 14, 2019". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
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