JORDY MERCER

8/27/86; '08 3rd; Oklahoma State Univ.
R/R; 6-3, 190

Level	BA	OBP	SA	AB	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	SB	CS
2006 NCAA	.270	.321	.405	200	7	1	6	12	33	7	0
2007 NCAA	.299	.370	.481	154	11	1	5	15	28	5	2
2008 NCAA	.330	.373	.542	273	12	2	14	13	38	5	0
2008 A	.250	.300	.349	192	7	0	4	12	44	4	3
2008 A-	.250	.280	.500	24	1	1	1	1	3	1	0
2009 A+	.255	.314	.400	513	36	4	10	41	93	10	6

Mercer represents another departure for the Pirates, as in recent years they've generally drafted shortstops, like Brian Bixler and Brian Friday, more for speed than anything else. That emphasis may have changed due to GM Neal Huntington and Scouting Director Greg Smith moving from the American League, where offense has generally been valued more highly at the position. Huntington has stated that he believes the team needs to get offensive contributions from its up-the-middle players. One result of the change was Mercer, who was an uncharacteristic choice at shortstop for the Pirates due to his size and hitting potential. He improved his offensive game in his junior year in college and showed some pop. Baseball America referred to him as having the potential to be a good hitter while also staying at short, although his plate discipline wasn't exactly ideal. He's bigger than the typical shortstop, but has good enough range and a strong arm-he served as closer for Oklahoma State. BA had him ranked as the best prospect in Oklahoma and the 64th best overall. He signed just before State College opened its season and headed there with fellow shortstop, fourth round pick Chase D'Arnaud. He didn't stay long, though, as the Pirates wanted to separate the two, so they sent Mercer to Hickory. He struggled at Hickory for about five weeks, then came around in August, hitting 312/341/442. His plate discipline remained poor, though, as he drew only three walks for the month and fanned twenty times.

The Pirates sent Mercer to Lynchburg in 2009, as they faced a logjam at short with D'Arnaud in low A. He never quite got hot during the season, as he often struggled with offspeed pitches. He saved his best hitting for August, when he batted .303, but August in the minors can be like September in the majors, with the best players being promoted and pitchers being shut down for the year. Mercer showed good power, leading the Carolina League in doubles and finishing fifth in RBIs despite batting second most of the year. He could have been more patient, but neither his walk nor strikeout total was alarming. He hit RHPs a little better than LHPs. After D'Arnaud moved up in late June, Mercer alternated between short and third. His defense was solid, with decent range, and he committed 21 errors, which isn't a bad total for that level. Mercer figures to be at Altoona in 2010, possibly in the same job-sharing arrangement with D'Arnaud. It'll be a key season for him, as D'Arnaud has probably already established himself as the team's top middle infield prospect.

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