GLENDALE, Ariz. — Yermin Mercedes is that guy in spring training who’s hitting bombs, turning heads, entertaining fans and making a case for making the team.
But making the team, even as a 26th man, is far from a lock for the 27-year old catcher who has four homers and a 1.409 OPS in 22 plate appearances. In fact, barring an injury, it’s unlikely.
The Sox have two All-Star catchers, Yasmani Grandal and James McCann. They spent $12 million on a designated hitter, Edwin Encarnacion, in the offseason, and to carry the 5-11, 235-pound Mercedes as a pinch hitter on an American League roster seems a stretch. He is far from polished defensively and has no major league experience.
Manager Rick Renteria hasn’t specified what he’s looking for from the 26th man, but it’s known he will prefer a versatile player, preferably with speed, who can pinch run or upgrade his defense late in a game. Keeping the right-handed Mercedes as a pinch hitter to fill an occasional need — he’s not going to bat for Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez, Edwin Encarnacion, Yasmani Grandal or Luis Robert — seems to be a luxury better suited for a 28th or 29th man.
Mercedes, who clubbed his fourth home Monday against the Reds, a game-tying shot with two outs in the ninth, eventually might force his way on a roster with his hitting ability. He’s a career .302/.386/.647 hitter with a 15 percent strikeout rate in the minor leagues. At Class AAA Charlotte last season, Mercedes belted 17 homers in 187 at-bats.
He is sharing his excitement over his big spring on social media.
“Yes, because I want to be in Chicago,” he said. “I’m working hard for that. Every time I post on Twitter or Instagram I say ‘I see you in Chicago, I’ll see you soon’ because I want to be there with my teammates.”
And if it’s not in the cards?
“If I don’t make it, just go to Triple A, keep working hard, do my job,” he said. “Wait for the decision. If they make the decision ‘go to Chicago’ I will keep doing my job, working hard.”
Assuming Nick Madrigal does not make the Opening Day roster and Danny Mendick does as the utility infielder, 26th man possibilities include infielders Cheslor Cuthbert and Andrew Romine and outfielder Nicky Delmonico. Romine, 34, played all nine positions in a game last season for the Tigers. Cuthbert, who has played a lot of third base this spring, has also played first and second base in his career. Delmonico is not a plus defender, but he has experience in left field and first base.
The possibility of a trade as Opening Day approaches in two weeks from Thursday also exists.
