Jordy Mercer year in review

Way way way back in June, I showed off my Jordy Mercer 2013 Topps camo parallel.  As expected, Jordy Mercer due to his offensive upside grabbed the starting shortstop position from Clint Barmes in 2014 and although it took him a little longer than expected to get going, he provided enough offense to beat his previous career highs in nearly every offensive category.  Many felt that Mercer didn't have the range or agility to stick at shortstop, but he made several plays in the field during the year that rivaled those of other NL shortstops.  On top of that he finished the year in the top 5 for fielding percentage among NL shortstops.

2013 Topps Pink Parallel 15/50 

During the months of June, July, and August Jordy's bat reached his true upside belting 7 homeruns and hitting .289 with 31 RBI often times hitting in the number 8 spot in the lineup and getting very few pitches to hit due to hitting in front of the pitcher.

The above pink parallel of Jordy ran me $6 delivered.  Mercer appears to be the Pirates opening day shortstop when the season opens for 2015, but switch hitting shortstop prospect Alen Hanson could potentially be up mid season if Mercer scuffle

Don't show any Merc(er)y!!!!

Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer has been on a mega hot streak the last 5 games.  During that stretch he has increased his .190 batting average to .232.  He has gone .545/.545/.864 with an OPS of 1.409 over the past 5 games collecting 8 runs and 6 RBI over 22 plate appearances.  That's video game numbers!  Jordy has always been thought of as having a good bat with gap to gap power, but has struggled mightly in the early 2014 season.  Hopefully his June numbers continue the way they've started.

I grabbed this camo version from 2013 Topps for under $3 delivered.  Really happy to add this to the collection since I've been following Jordy since I got a chance to meet him in 2010 when he was a member of the Altoona Curve.  Speaking of which, I'm going to see the Curve play against the Trenton Thunder tonight.  Hopefully I can come away with some autographs.  I went to the game last night and got a ball signed by a lot of the members from the team, but no cards.  Today's going to be a card day.

Good Jordy, this card looks nice!

One of my favorite blogs, BobWalkThePlank recently showed off their copy of a Jordy Mercer patch card from 2013 America's Pastime.  I recently grabbed a copy of the card as well.

2013 America's Pastime Future Fabrics Jordy Mercer Patch 4/10

Sadly I paid $5 more than what my blogging buddy paid for his copy though.

Based on the color of the patch, I think that the material used could be from an alternate uniform used by the Pirates in 2013 (Memorial Day uniforms perhaps?)  The jersey material is more brown than grey.

Any ideas?

Really cheap relics for $5 total

2013 Topps Archives Relics Andrew McCutchen

2008 UD USA Baseball Camo Cloth Jordy Mercer

Both the above cards were won for $5 shipped combined.
It's a no brainer that Andrew will be returning to the team as the centerfielder next year and with the solid bat that Jordy Mercer showed in his rookie year, he should be the starting shortstop next year.

MLB Debut: Jordy Mercer & LET'S GO BUCS WINNER

I started watching the rain delayed game yesterday between the Reds and Bucs.  Once it became 4-1 and Charile Morton was yanked, I said forget it and turned off the game.  Hot hitting prospect Jordy Mercer was promoted yesterday as utility fielder Yamaico Navarro was optioned to AAA.  He managed  to get one at bat as a pinch hitter in the 8th inning to get his feet wet and grounded out to shortstop.

Today, Jordy had his first MLB start batting in the 2 hole and playing shortstop for the offensively struggling Clint Barmes.  I said before the season started that I thought the Barmes signing was a bad idea and that the team should have seen what they had in Chase D'arnaud, Jordy Mercer, Jeremy Farrel, and Josh Harrison.  I've seen Jordy play several times since his time with the AA Altoona Curve and he's a phenomenal defender with some pop in his bat.  He lead the Pirates minor league system in homeruns last season.

Jordy went 1 for 4 today getting a hard hit single in his first at bat in the first inning.  He made some nice above average plays at short and deserves to continue to start until he proves he is no better than Barmes.

Since the Pirates held onto win another 1 run ball game today, the Pirates took the series from the first place Reds and improved their record again to .500. 
Fun fact: The Pirates have not lost a game yet where they are winning after the 7th inning.  That shows how good the Pirates backend of the bullpen is.  
Joel Hanrahan and Jason Grilli both struck out two batters a piece.  Grilli now has an impressive 35 strikeouts in only 20 innings pitched, while the Hammer has 24 Ks in 19. 

Since the Bucs won, let's see whose getting some Reds swag.
drumroll please...

 Three game series so I have to randomize it 3 times

 Sorry Greg, but you came close twice...

But the winner is The Diamond King!
Diamond King is a first time winner of the Let's Go Bucs contest.

The Bucs have an off day tomorrow, but will head into Miller Park to face the Brewers on Friday.  I hate the Brewers!  Absolutely despise that team.  I'll have to come up with something good for this series. 

Maybe a Paul Molitor rookie or a top prospect Taylor Jungmann auto?
I'll let the winner decide. 

Remember to cheer for the Bucs by leaving a comment prior to the start of the series saying Let's Go Bucs! Beat the Brew Crew!!!!  If you're the Brewers are your favorite team, let me know so that you can be entered twice. 

LET'S GO BUCS!!!!