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Shortstop
Jordy Mercer
Jordy Mercer might not be the most recognizable name in Pittsburgh Pirates history. Especially when you’re looking at players like we are today. But while he may never be the most popular name, he was a key piece of the Pirates’ winning core in 2013-2015.
Mercer spent 7 years in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, batting .256/.316/.383 with a .300 wOBA, 88 wRC+, and 91 OPS+. Though Mercer would occasionally show some raw power, he never put on huge displays of game power throughout his career. He only had a .127 isolated slugging percentage. But he was above average in terms of Baseball Reference’s wins above average measurement. He averaged 0 WAA, but note that this is based on bWAR (Baseball Reference WAR) rather than fWAR (FanGraphs WAR).
Overall as a defender, Mercer ranged anywhere from an average to a well below average defender. He had -2.2 UZR/150, -16.8 range runs above average, and -27 DRS. However, -22 of that DRS came in just two seasons. Most of the time, he was a solid defender up the middle.
Mercer’s best season was his second campaign in the major leagues. This happened to be 2014. He put up a .255/.305/.387 line with a .299 wOBA, 91 wRC+, and 94 OPS+. But he was pretty effective with the glove. Mercer had +10 DRS, .6 UZR/150, and -2.4 range runs above average. Mercer was one of 29 fielders that season with at least 10 DRS. Just to note, there were 150 qualified fielders in 2014. All told, he put up a 2.0 fWAR, a career-best mark.
Since he departed from the Pittsburgh Pirates after 2018, he hasn’t gotten a regular role since. He only has 365 plate appearances since the beginning of the 2019 season. He’s spent those plate appearances with the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Washington Nationals, but only has an 88 OPS+ and 85 wRC+.
Still, despite his overall lackluster numbers, Mercer played a key role to help get the Pirates to the playoffs in 2013 through 2015. He was a regular infielder who provided at least average value as a member of the Bucs.