Jordy Mercer made the most of his first full year in the majors as he the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates broke the streak, made the playoffs and took the eventual NL Champion St. Louis Cardinals to the brink in the NLDS.
“It was fun, bringing winning back to Pittsburgh is what it’s all about,” said Mercer. “The tradition that the Pirates have and to be able to bring a playoff atmosphere back and playoff baseball back, it was something special. We had a good group of guys last year and we have the core group of guys back this year so it will be a lot of fun.”
Mercer doesn’t think last year was a fluke either, as he and the Pirates look to make yet another run at the postseason in 2014.
“I think you build off of last year for sure,” said Mercer. “I think you can’t take anything away from what we did last year, but it’s a new year and you have to build off of it and you have to take it from there. Nothing is given to you and we know that and we have to work hard for it and continue to press on.”
As for Mercer, 2013 was a valuable learning experience for the rookie from Oklahoma. He batted .285/.445/.772 in 333 at-bats with 22 doubles, 8 home runs and 27 RBI while splitting time with veteran shortstop, Clint Barmes. Barmes helped Mercer adjust to playing short in the majors while trying to keep composure at one of the most important positions on the field.
“Anytime you settle down a little bit, you get into a kind of a groove,” said Mercer. “You start relaxing a bit and enjoying the game and you kind of just let it come to you and that’s what I did. I got consecutive starts back-to-back a few times and I got into a groove and stayed with it and stayed to my approach and it kind of just fell together. It was a good year.”
That valuable playing time has given the chance for Mercer to become the main starter at short for the 2014 season with Barmes playing a backup and teaching role in case Jordy has any problems adjusting to a full-time role.
Another reason Mercer is so optimistic about the future is the state the Pirates farm system is in under the current management group. This year, Baseball America has ranked the Pirates farm system #1 for the first time in the publications history which adds to the optimism.
“We have a good group of core guys, we’re young and we have some veterans mixed in well with these young guys and it’s a lot of fun,” said Mercer. “Our draft has been incredible and the young guys coming up through our system are really good. It’s an exciting time because throughout all of our levels and it’s going to be fun for years to come as a Pirate.”
The next chapter begins on March 31st at 1:05.
Follow @TBerardi_OVA
(Photo Credit: AP Photo / David Goldman)
