Oscar_Mercado

Óscar Mercado

Óscar Mercado

Colombian-American baseball player

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

Óscar Mauricio Mercado (born December 16, 1994) is a Colombian-American professional baseball outfielder in the San Diego Padres organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians / Guardians, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals. He represented the Colombian national baseball team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Quick Facts San Diego Padres – No. 40, MLB debut ...

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 Tampa, 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.[8] 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,[8] and in 2015, he played with the Peoria Chiefs of the Single–A Midwest League, where he compiled a .254 batting average with four home runs, 44 RBIs, and 50 stolen bases in 117 games.[8] In 2016, he played for the Palm Beach Cardinals of the High–A Florida State League, where he switched from playing shortstop to outfielder.[9] There, he batted .215 with 27 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 125 games.[8]

He spent the 2017 season with the Springfield Cardinals of the Double–A Texas League,[10] where he slashed .287/.341/.428 with 13 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 38 stolen bases in 120 games.[11] After the season, the Cardinals assigned Mercado to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).[12] Mercado appeared in a total of 22 games for the Saguaros, posting a .264 batting average with 11 RBIs and six stolen bases.[8] 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.[13] Mercado began 2018 with the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League.[14]

Cleveland Indians / Guardians

On July 31, 2018, the Cardinals traded Mercado to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Conner Capel and Jhon Torres.[15] He was assigned to the Columbus Clippers of the Triple–A 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.[16] He began the 2019 season with Columbus.[17]

The Indians promoted Mercado to the major leagues on May 14.[18] He made his major league debut that day versus the Chicago White Sox.[19] Overall with the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Mercado batted .128 with one home run and 6 RBIs in 36 games.[20] On June 21, 2022, Mercado was designated for assignment by the Guardians.[citation needed]

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies claimed Mercado off of waivers on June 27, 2022.[21] After appearing in only one game with the Phillies, Mercado was designated for assignment on July 1.[22]

Cleveland Guardians (second stint)

The Cleveland Guardians claimed Mercado off of waivers on July 3, 2022.[23] He was designated for assignment once again on July 11.[citation needed] After clearing waivers, Mercado was outrighted to Triple–A Columbus Clippers on July 14.[citation needed] He elected minor league free agency after the season on November 10.[24]

St. Louis Cardinals (second stint)

Mercado signed a minor league contract to return to the St. Louis Cardinals organization on November 18, 2022.[citation needed] He began the 2023 season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, playing in 34 games and hitting .278/.361/.421 with two home runs, 12 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.[8] On May 17, the Cardinals selected Mercado to the active roster.[25] In 20 games for St. Louis, Mercado batted .290/.313/.387 with no home runs, five RBI, and two stolen bases.[8] On July 3, Mercado was designated for assignment by the Cardinals.[26] He cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment on July 5.[27]

San Diego Padres

On July 7, 2023, Mercado signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.[28] In 31 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he batted .339/.399/.669 with 10 home runs, 37 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.[8] On August 22, Mercado opted out of his deal and became a free agent.[29]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On August 26, 2023, Mercado signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.[30] In 15 games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, he batted .259 with two homers and 35 RBI.[8] He elected free agency on November 6. [31]

San Diego Padres (second stint)

On December 28, 2023, Mercado signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. [32]

International career

Mercado represents the Colombian national team in international competition. At the 2017 World Baseball Classic, the 22-year old Mercado went hitless in his sole at-bat, but nevertheless scored a run as a pinch runner in a 4-1 victory over Canada. At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Mercado hit .308/.400/.385, with a double and two walks.[33]

Personal life

Mercado became an American citizen in 2018.[1]

References

  1. [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. [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. [3]
    "Oscar Mercado - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA". Perfectgame.org. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  4. [4]
    Meyer, Brendan (June 6, 2013). "Cardinals draft SS Oscar Mercado in second round | Cardinal Beat". stltoday.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  5. [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. [6]
    "From Colombia to the U.S. to the majors, Gaither's Oscar Mercado ready for draft day". MyNews13. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  7. [7]
    Press Release. "Cardinals sign second-round Draft selection Oscar Mercado". Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  8. [8]
    "Oscarf Mercado Minor, Fall & Winter League Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  9. [9]
    "Cardinals minor league report: Mercado shifts from shortstop to outfield | St. Louis Cardinals". stltoday.com. May 21, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  10. [10]
    "Mercado Sets Record in 9-1 Cardinals Win - Story". OzarksFirst. May 4, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  11. [11]
    "Oscar Mercado Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  12. [12]
    Goold, Derrick (September 2017). "Elite prospects Alcantara, Hicks among eight young Cards headed to AFL". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  13. [13]
    "Cardinals Add 4 Players to 40-Man Roster | St. Louis Cardinals". M.cardinals.mlb.com. May 24, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  14. [14]
    "PCL notes: Mercado's adjustments paying off". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  15. [15]
    Post-Dispatch store (August 2018). "Cardinals trade slick-fielding center fielder Mercado to Cleveland for prospects | Cardinal Beat". stltoday.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  16. [16]
    "Oscar Mercado Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  17. [17]
    Adam Jardy. "Clippers season preview | Veteran outfielders seeking return to big leagues - Sports - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH". Dispatch.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  18. [18]
    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.
  19. [19]
    "Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox Box Score, May 14, 2019". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  20. [20]
    "Oscar Mercado Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  21. [21]
    "Phillies pick up outfielder Oscar Mercado off waivers from Cleveland". June 27, 2022.
  22. [22]
    "Philadelphia Phillies Recall Bailey Falter, Designate Oscar Mercado for Assignment". July 2022.
  23. [23]
    McDonald, Darragh (July 3, 2022). "Guardians Claim Oscar Mercado, Designate Yohan Ramirez". MLB Trade Rumors.
  24. [24]
    "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  25. [25]
    "Roster shuffle welcomes Oscar Mercado to majors with club he was drafted by: Cardinals Extra". May 17, 2023.
  26. [26]
    "Cardinals' Oscar Mercado: Moves off 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  27. [27]
    "Oscar Mercado: Elects free agency". cbssports.com. July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  28. [28]
    "Transactions". MiLB.com.
  29. [29]
    "Oscar Mercado: Opts out of minors deal". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  30. [30]
    "Dodgers' Oscar Mercado: Joins Dodgers". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  31. [31]
    "Transactions".
  32. [32]
    "Transactions".
  33. [33]
    "Stats - Colombia". MLB.com. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
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