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ANALYSIS: In a long-awaited move, the Chicago Cubs have called up first baseman Matt Mervis to the major league squad.
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He will join a Cubs first base rotation that features Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer. The Cubbies signed both this offseason, prompting many to wonder if there would even be space in the majors for Mervis this year.
But, the veteran first basemen Mancini and Hosmer have been subpar offensively. Through 27 games, the right-handed-hitting Mancini is slashing .268/.314/.381 with a 27.1% K rate and a negative fWAR. The left-handed-hitting Hosmer is also having a terrible season, slashing just .250/.294/.363 with a 79 wRC+ and a negative fWAR. With both Hosmer and Mervis being left-handed hitters, Eric Hosmer's run at first base likely ends if Matt 'Mash' Mervis sees any success in his first few games.
They call him Mash for a reason. Mervis mashed 36 home runs last year in 137 games across the High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A levels. His six home runs this season have him tied for 13th in Triple-A.
Matt Mervis goes deep to cut our deficit in half! pic.twitter.com/U1TOpjkX16
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) April 27, 2023
But he isn’t just a power hitter. The 25-year-old has a solid hit tool and possesses elite plate discipline. In 2022, he slashed an impressive .309/.379/.605 with 119 RBI, a 10.4% walk rate, and a 14.6% K rate. Mervis has improved on those numbers this year, slashing .286/.402/.560 with 27 RBI and a 16% walk rate. His maturity at the plate gives him a better chance to produce right out of the gate at the big-league level.
As a former college pitcher at Duke, he possesses a great arm, but he will likely only be limited to first base this season.
As one of the premier power talents in the minor leagues, Matt Mervis is worth the add as he joins the major league squad. If he manages to oust Hosmer for regular playing time, he becomes one of the better options at first base. Act quickly; the recent call-up announcement will have his rostered rate skyrocketing.
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