Tag Archives: Oscar Mercado

Oscar Mercado claimed by Phillies

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Philadelphia Phillies have claimed outfielder Oscar Mercado off waivers. Mercado was designated for assignment by the Cleveland Guardians last week.

Philadelphia is dealing with the uncertain future of outfielder Bryce Harper and his fractured thumb. While Mercado is no Harper, he can least play better outfield defense than the likes of Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber.

Oscar Mercado was a productive bat during the 2019 season and it appeared that Cleveland found a diamond in the rough. Unfortunately for both parties Mercado was never able to find his form again and struggled mightily. With other more appealing offensive options available to the Guardians they made the decision to DFA Mercado.

Guardians activate Civale, Reyes DFA Mercado

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Guardians announced a handful of roster moves prior to Tuesday’s game in Minnesota. Franmil Reyes and Aaron Civale have been activated from the injured list while they have designated Oscar Mercado for assignment.

Civale is slated to start against the Twins Tuesday while Reyes returns to the Guardians lineup.

Mercado has struggled mightily since his rookie season which saw productive output. This move from Cleveland is a continuance of forward thinking roster maintenance. The club has been willing to turn the page on non-productive players in order to give younger players more playing time. Cleveland could have just as easily kept Mercado instead of opting for the combination of Steven Kwan, Myles Straw, Oscar Gonzalez, and Richie Palacios. This proactive style has been long desired from fans and media alike. Continuing in this manner will result in proper roster evaluation and churning through players who are definitively not part of their future.

Guardians outfielder production a mixed bag

Posted on by
Advertisements

Through 40 games there has been an interesting array of performances from the Cleveland Guardians outfielders. Hot and cold streaks mixed in with underperformance has led to this wide range of results.

The regulars

Steven Kwan: .257/.358/.354, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 13 RBI, 19 runs, 17 walks, 11 strikeouts
Myles Straw: .240/.335/.312, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 6 RBI, 30 runs, 8 stolen bases, 23 walks, 29 strikeouts
Oscar Mercado: .207/.229/.402, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 15 RBI, 11 runs, 2 walks, 24 strikeouts
Franmil Reyes: .195/.255/.278, 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 12 RBI, 9 runs, 10 walks, 57 strikeouts

One bright spot here is Steven Kwan’s 17-11 strikeout to walk ratio. While Kwan has struggled mightily over the past 10 games with just four hits in 32 at-bats, he did reach base five times via the base on balls with only two strikeouts. Hopefully Kwan can settle somewhere between his hot start and this current bad stretch. That type of consistency would do wonders for the Guardians lineup.

Myles Straw having nine doubles and eight stolen bases (nine attempts) is encouraging from Cleveland’s leadoff hitter. Straw’s speed is what keeps him at the top of the lineup, however if he is not able to get closer to his performance from last season there could be a reason to make a change.

Oscar Mercado has been getting semi-regular playing time, but mostly out of necessity. Franmil Reyes is primarily a designated hitter and is currently injured. Josh Naylor joined the team late, missed time due to COVID-19, and spends most of his time at first base. Ernie Clement and Amed Rosario have played in the outfield on a part-time basis when they are not in the infield. Richie Palacios has been recalled again with Oscar Gonzalez making his MLB debut Thursday. It appears that there are plenty of options to play who offer more offensive upside in Mercado. Considering Mercado’s 24-2 strikeout to walk rate it may not be a bad idea.

2022 has not been kind to Franmil Reyes. Reyes has just three home runs and two doubles in 35 games, far from the expected power production. In 145 plate appearances Reyes has struck out 57 times with 10 walks. Over aggression and compete lack of plate discipline has led to this underwhelming start to this season.

The non-regulars

Richie Palacios: .270/.308/.297, 1 double, 2 RBI, 1 run, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts (37 at-bats)
Oscar Gonzalez: 2-4, 1 double

As mentioned above, Palacios and Gonzalez could be realistic options for meaningful playing time should more roster changes be made. The Guardians have already made major decisions for multiple players this season. Bradley Zimmer and Daniel Johnson have been traded to the Blue Jays and Mets respectively. The club also designated Bobby Bradley and Yu Chang for assignment to continue their clutter clearing process. Cleveland turning the page on these players shows that the team is willing to move on from guys given chances who have not taken the job and ran with it. Continuing that practice with Mercado appears to be a very real possibility.

2022 was always going to be about transition and development. Moving on from players who are definitely not in their future plans while allowing others with upside to take their place. The outfield has been a problem for the Guardians for some time, perhaps they are getting closer to finding answers at the position. There are more players in the system on the way, but finding a consistent baseline with their current options would go a long way for this franchise.

Guarding The Corner Ep. 6 – Myles Straw’s (Almost) Fight Club

Posted on by
Advertisements

Guarding The Corner Episode 6 – Myles Straw’s (Almost) Fight Club: James and Bryan discuss the Guardians being swept in New York, Myles Straw, Kyle Schwarber’s problem with Angel Hernandez, the injury to Eloy Jimenez, and their series against the Angels.

Guarding The Corner Ep. 6 – Myles Straw's (Almost) Fight Club by This Is Believeland

Guarding The Corner Episode 3 Miller Time

Posted on by
Advertisements

Guarding The Corner Episode 3 Miller Time: James and Bryan discuss the Guardians wins over the Reds, discuss Owen Miller’s performance, Clayton Kershaw’s near perfecto, Bryan Reynolds’ extension, and preview their upcoming series.

Guarding The Corner Episode 3 – Miller Time by This Is Believeland

Guarding The Corner Episode 2 Kwantum Realm

Posted on by
Advertisements

Guarding The Corner Episode 2 Kwantum Realm: James and Bryan discuss the series split with Kansas City, Steven Kwan, primetime baseball, and the two game series in Cincy.

Guarding The Corner Episode 2 – Kwantum Realm by This Is Believeland

Cleveland clobbers Twins 12-3

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Baseball Club capped off their final game of their series with the Minnesota Twins with a 12-3 beatdown at Target Field.

There is nothing like a lopsided win and that is just what the Cleveland Baseball Club got Thursday night at Target Field. Cleveland scored 12 runs on 14 hits as they they came away with a nine run victory.

Cleveland got some impressive power output from Oscar Mercado, Bobby Bradley, and Franmil Reyes. Mercado hit a three-run homer in the 5th to extend Cleveland’s lead to four. While it was the only hit of the game for Mercado, it was quite impactful.

Bradley came through with a two-run shot in 7th to give Cleveland a 10 run lead. It was the second RBI hit of the game for Bradley as he doubled home Jose Ramirez in the 4th.

Reyes capped off their scoring effort with a solo shot in the 9th to make it a 12-3 game. It was a 3-5 effort for Reyes in the contest as he came through with a RBI single in the 7th as well.

Jose Ramirez also had a productive outing, going 3-4 with a sacrifice fly in the 5th and a RBI single in the 7th.

Myles Straw also had three hits in five at-bats, scoring twice along the way.

Cal Quantrill got the start for Cleveland and was fairly impressive. Three runs did come around to score with Qunatrill on the mound, but none were earned. Overall Quantirll allowed three hits and two walks on the night while striking out four.

Cleveland will continue their road trip as they make their way to The Bronx to take on the New York Yankees who are fighting for a playoff spot. 

Cleveland loses to Twins 6-3

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Baseball Club was not able to complete the doubleheader sweep of the Minnesota Twins, losing. by a score of 6-3.

The first of two games went well for the Cleveland Baseball Club as they came away with a 3-1 win in the first half of their doubleheader with the Minnesota Twins. The second game was not as kind to Cleveland as after taking an early lead, Minnesota stormed back to hand Cleveland a 6-3 loss.

Cleveland did all of their work offensively in the 3rd inning. With two outs and Oscar Mercado on second, it was Amed Rosario coming through with a two-out RBI double. Jose Ramirez would follow with a two-out RBI double of his own to increase the lead to two. Franmil Reyes would subsequently drive in Ramirez with a single, Cleveland’s final run of the game.

The problems for Cleveland’s starter, Logan Allen, popped up in the 4th inning. After keeping the Twins off the board for the first three innings, Minnesota did some two out damage of their own. Allen allowed three straight two-out RBI hits, just like Charlie Barnes did the inning prior with Cleveland batting. Minnesota chased Allen from the game as he failed to get out of the 4th inning.

Trevor Stephan relieved Allen and managed to end the inning with Cleveland trailing 4-3. The Twins would extend their lead as Stephan allowed a two-run homer in the 6th. Cleveland was not able to present a real threat offensively for the remainder of the game leading to the loss.

The series continues in Minnesota Wednesday at 7:40 P.M.

Three homers power Cleveland to 4-1 win over Twins

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Baseball Club homered three times to avoid the sweep and come away with a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Just a few days ago the Cleveland Baseball Club’s franchise record homer streak came to an end as they lost 3-0 to the Minnesota Twins. A second straight 3-0 loss to Minnesota led to Cleveland on the brink of being swept in a four game series. This time around Cleveland not only managed to score at least one run, they managed to homer three times en route to four runs and a 4-1 victory.

Trailing 1-0 in the 3rd inning it was time for Cleveland’s offense to wake up. After Myles Straw reached on a walk, it was a mammoth blast from Franmil Reyes which gave Cleveland a 2-1 lead.

The very next inning it was Oscar Mercado’s turn to homer. Mercado took a 1-1 pitch and hit it over the wall in left.

Wanting to get in on the action, Jose Ramirez got his home run pitch and deposited into the right field seats.

The run scoring for Cleveland was only half the equation Thursday night. An impressive start from Cal Quantrill provided the opportunity to win the game. Quantrill allowed just one run, a Miguel Sano homer in the 2nd. Besides the Sano homer, Quantrill allowed three other hits while striking out five and walking two in 7.2 innings. Blake Parker finished the 8th on just four pitches while Emmanuel Clase handled the 9th to earn his 22nd save of the year.

Cleveland’s home stand continues as they begin a three game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at 7:10 P.M.

 

 

Four homers power Cleveland past Texas 7-2

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Baseball Club bounced back Wednesday as they homered four times in their 7-2 win over the visiting Texas Rangers.

Looking to change their fortunes from Tuesday’s 7-3 loss, Cleveland turned to the long ball. Cleveland homered four times in the contest as they came away with a 7-2 victory over Texas, a near inverse of the result from the previous day.

Oscar Mercado, Yu Chang, and Austin Hedges each hit solo home runs to get the scoring started. With Mercado homering in the 2nd while Chang and Hedges each went yard in the 5th. The Rangers were able to cut the Cleveland lead to one after a Jason Martin two-run homer in the 6th.

Even though the Rangers were doing their best to come back, Cleveland answered in the bottom half of the 6th with a RBI double from Chang and an Owen Miller RBI single.

Franmil Reyes would hit Cleveland’s fourth home run of the contest in the 7th, making it a 6-2 game. The final run of the game was scored in the 8th as Miller grounded into a fielder’s choice allowing Bradley Zimmer to score.

Zach Plesac started the game for Cleveland, scattering eight hits and three walks across 5.2 innings with 2 runs scoring. James Karinchak, Blake Parker, and Emmanuel Clase handled the final 3.1 innings, with Karinchak and Parker allowing the only Rangers hits over the final frames.

The third and final game of the series will take place 7:10 P.M. Thursday at Progressive Field as both teams look to win the series.