Matt Mervis down to Triple-A, will he come back? |
After immense struggles in the big leagues, Matt Mervis was sent back down to triple-A Iowa last week. The Cubs’ first baseman was called up and started playing April 23 — and proceeded to go just 3-26 at the big league level before getting sent back down to the minors.
Mervis also had an extended cup of coffee in 2023, hitting just .167 with a measly .289 slugging percentage in 90 at-bats. Matt Mervis earned the nickname “Mash” because of his prowess in the minors. He was an undrafted free agent out of Duke in the COVID-shortened 2020 MLB draft. Mervis soared through the minor league ranks thanks to a dominant 2022. Across three levels of minor league ball, Mervis clubbed 36 homers and drove in 119 runs while slashing .309/.379/.605. In 2023, Mervis had 22 homers and 78 RBI. He has raked against minor league pitching, which has continued in Iowa this season. However, the transition to the big league level that the Cubs brass has expected has been nonexistent. “We're certainly at a place where we're looking for offense, there's no question about it,” manager Craig Counsell said recently. “In the end, we're looking for production, and we just didn't get it. “It's unfortunate. Matt's produced at a high level in the minor leagues, a very high level. He just went through a stretch where it didn't play here. We've just got to go back to the drawing board with him a little bit.” There is a time in any player’s young career when they have ‘their moment’. It could look different for every player, but it is essentially the moment that gives that player the confidence that they belong at the big league level. Take Pete Crow-Armstrong, for example. He’s a highly touted prospect for a big-time organization, but he began his big-league career at 0-16 at the plate. That all changed with one swing of the bat, a go-ahead three-run homer for his first MLB hit. Since then, PCA has looked like he belongs in the big leagues, and his confidence exudes that. Mervis has yet to have that moment and may be running out of time. The Cubs DFA’d veteran Garrett Cooper — a capable right-handed bat — to bring up Mervis — a slugging left-handed prospect — and the move has backfired thus far. Mervis was sent back to Iowa in favor of utility man Miles Mastrobuoni. Mervis’ two cups of coffee in MLB are a small sample size, but the Cubs were hoping he could provide a spark to a Cubs offense that desperately needed it. While the youngster might need some time at the big league level to work out his kinks and build up his confidence, the Cubs could not afford to continue to offer him those opportunities with the offense struggling, and Mervis’ slump is a big portion of that. Mervis was visibly pressing, trying to make the most of his opportunity and solidify himself as a big-league player. But the eye test just appeared to indicate that he was overmatched against top pitching. Whether the Cubs view Mervis in their long-term plans or as a trade chip remains to be seen, but we will have to wait to know what type of player he will be at the big league level.
