(through 2023 season)
Óscar Mauricio Mercado (born December 16,1994) is a Colombian-American professional baseball outfielder in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians / Guardians and St. Louis Cardinals. He represented the Colombian national baseball team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Mercado was born in Cartagena,Colombia. His father,Oscar Sr.,played soccer and worked as a general contractor. He has an older brother,Juan,and a twin sister,Nathalia. His family emigrated to the United States when he was seven years old on his father's work visa,and settled in Tampa,Florida. [1]
Mercado attended Gaither High School in Tampa,Florida. [2] He committed to play college baseball at Florida State University. [3]
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Mercado in the second round,with the 58th overall selection,of the 2013 MLB draft. [4] He signed with the Cardinals,receiving a $1.5 million signing bonus. [5] [6] [7]
After signing,Mercado made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Cardinals of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League,batting .209 with one home run and 14 runs batted in (RBIs) in 42 games played. [8] In 2014,he played for the Johnson City Cardinals of the Advanced Rookie-level Appalachian League,where he hit .224 with three home runs,25 RBIs,and 26 stolen bases in 60 games, [8] and in 2015,he played with the Peoria Chiefs of the Single–A Midwest League,where he compiled a .254 batting average with four home runs,44 RBIs,and 50 stolen bases in 117 games. [8] In 2016,he played for the Palm Beach Cardinals of the High–A Florida State League,where he switched from playing shortstop to outfielder. [9] There,he batted .215 with 27 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 125 games. [8]
He spent the 2017 season with the Springfield Cardinals of the Double–A Texas League, [10] where he slashed .287/.341/.428 with 13 home runs,46 RBIs,and 38 stolen bases in 120 games. [11] After the season,the Cardinals assigned Mercado to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League (AFL). [12] Mercado appeared in a total of 22 games for the Saguaros,posting a .264 batting average with 11 RBIs and six stolen bases. [8] The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the AFL was over to protect him from being chosen in the Rule 5 Draft. [13] Mercado began 2018 with the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League. [14]
On July 31,2018,the Cardinals traded Mercado to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Conner Capel and Jhon Torres. [15] He was assigned to the Columbus Clippers of the Triple–A International League and finished the season there. In 132 games between Memphis and Columbus,he slashed .278/.349/.390 with eight home runs,47 RBIs,and 37 stolen bases. [16] He began the 2019 season with Columbus. [17]
The Indians promoted Mercado to the major leagues on May 14. [18] He made his major league debut that day versus the Chicago White Sox. [19] Overall with the 2020 Cleveland Indians,Mercado batted .128 with one home run and 6 RBIs in 36 games. [20] On June 21,2022,Mercado was designated for assignment by the Guardians.[ citation needed ]
The Philadelphia Phillies claimed Mercado off of waivers on June 27,2022. [21] After appearing in only one game with the Phillies,Mercado was designated for assignment on July 1. [22]
The Cleveland Guardians claimed Mercado off of waivers on July 3,2022. [23] He was designated for assignment once again on July 11.[ citation needed ] After clearing waivers,Mercado was outrighted to Triple–A Columbus Clippers on July 14.[ citation needed ] He elected minor league free agency after the season on November 10. [24]
Mercado signed a minor league contract to return to the St. Louis Cardinals organization on November 18,2022.[ citation needed ] He began the 2023 season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds,playing in 34 games and hitting .278/.361/.421 with two home runs,12 RBIs,and 15 stolen bases. [8] On May 17,the Cardinals selected Mercado to the active roster. [25] In 20 games for St. Louis,Mercado batted .290/.313/.387 with no home runs,five RBI,and two stolen bases. [8] On July 3,Mercado was designated for assignment by the Cardinals. [26] He cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment on July 5. [27]
On July 7,2023,Mercado signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization. [28] In 31 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas,he batted .339/.399/.669 with 10 home runs,37 RBI,and 10 stolen bases. [8] On August 22,Mercado opted out of his deal and became a free agent. [29]
On August 26,2023,Mercado signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. [30] In 15 games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers,he batted .259 with two homers and 35 RBI. [8] Mercado elected free agency following the season on November 6. [31]
On December 28,2023,Mercado signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. [32] In 78 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas,he batted .226/.307/.425 with 11 home runs,42 RBI,and 12 stolen bases. On August 1,2024,Mercado opted out of his contract and became a free agent. [33]
On August 23,2024,Mercado signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers and was assigned to the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens. [34] In 15 games for Toledo,he batted .200/.315/.289 with one home run,eight RBI,and four stolen bases. Mercado elected free agency following the season on November 4. [35]
On February 14,2025,Mercado signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. [36]
Mercado represents the Colombian national team in international competition. At the 2017 World Baseball Classic,the 22-year old Mercado went hitless in his sole at-bat,but nevertheless scored a run as a pinch runner in a 4-1 victory over Canada. At the 2023 World Baseball Classic,Mercado hit .308/.400/.385,with a double and two walks. [37]
Mercado became an American citizen in 2018. [1]
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