Michael Mercado
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Position:
RHSP
Level:
SS A
Affiliate:
Hudson Valley Renegades
League:
NY-Penn League
Born:
04/19/1999 (Age: 23)
Height:
6'4
Weight:
160
B/T:
Right / Right
Acquired:
2nd Rd., 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft (TB)
Prospect Spotlight
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Hailing from the prep ranks, Mercado was the Rays’ third-rounder in 2017. There’s plenty of room to add strength across an extra-gangly 6-foot-4 frame. Mercado repeats a clean delivery well enough to keep three pitches around the zone, all of which could progress as he develops. His fastball works in the 90-to-94 mph range and projects to scrape a tick higher at maturity. Both a curveball and changeup flash average and show potential for a full three-pitch mix. Mercado is overshadowed by other arms in a deep Tampa Bay system but could push himself into the spotlight with a strong full-season debut in 2019. He’s a max-projection righty with the tools to be a low-end #4/#5 starter or swingman. |
