Yermin Mercedes, a name that resonates within baseball circles, particularly for fans intrigued by power hitting and unique player profiles. As a content creator for xentryportal.store, and an automotive repair expert with a keen interest in data analysis both on and off the field, this article offers an in-depth look at Yermin Mercedes’s baseball statistics. We’ll leverage Statcast data to dissect his performance, providing an analytical breakdown for enthusiasts and those interested in understanding modern baseball metrics.
Statcast Batting Statistics: Unpacking the Raw Numbers
Statcast provides a wealth of data, allowing us to go beyond traditional batting stats. Let’s start by examining Yermin Mercedes’s Statcast Batting Statistics.
| Season | Age | Pitches | Batted Balls | Barrels | Barrel % | Barrel/PA | Exit Velocity | Max EV | Launch Angle | LA Sweet-Spot % | XBA | XSLG | WOBA | XWOBA | XWOBACON | HardHit% | K% | BB% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 90.9 | 90.9 | -0.4 | 0.0 | .255 | .289 | .000 | .232 | .232 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 | 28 | 1097 | 195 | 14 | 7.2 | 5.3 | 87.3 | 116.8 | 15.8 | 35.4 | .246 | .417 | .317 | .313 | .347 | 29.2 | 17.6 | 7.6 |
| 2021 | 28 | 1097 | 195 | 14 | 7.2 | 5.3 | 87.3 | 116.8 | 15.8 | 35.4 | .246 | .417 | .317 | .313 | .347 | 29.2 | 17.6 | 7.6 |
| 2021 | 28 | 1097 | 195 | 14 | 7.2 | 5.3 | 87.3 | 116.8 | 15.8 | 35.4 | .246 | .417 | .317 | .313 | .347 | 29.2 | 17.6 | 7.6 |
| 2022 | 29 | 353 | 56 | 4 | 7.1 | 4.8 | 87.5 | 111.7 | 25.3 | 42.9 | .253 | .392 | .301 | .329 | .364 | 28.6 | 20.5 | 10.8 |
| 2022 | 29 | 353 | 56 | 4 | 7.1 | 4.8 | 87.5 | 111.7 | 25.3 | 42.9 | .253 | .392 | .301 | .329 | .364 | 28.6 | 20.5 | 10.8 |
| 2022 | 29 | 353 | 56 | 4 | 7.1 | 4.8 | 87.5 | 111.7 | 25.3 | 42.9 | .253 | .392 | .301 | .329 | .364 | 28.6 | 20.5 | 10.8 |
| Player | 1456 | 252 | 18 | 7.1 | 5.2 | 87.4 | 116.8 | 17.9 | 36.9 | .248 | .410 | .313 | .316 | .351 | 29.0 | 18.2 | 8.4 | |
| MLB | 82372 | 7.0 | 4.8 | 88.5 | 122.4 | 12.3 | 33.2 | .245 | .405 | .316 | .315 | .368 | 36.5 | 22.2 | 8.4 |
Note: All figures in this table cover the period 2015-present.
This table presents a comprehensive overview of Mercedes’s hitting prowess according to Statcast. Key metrics to focus on include:
- Barrel %: A barrel is the optimal combination of exit velocity and launch angle for home runs and extra-base hits. Mercedes’s Barrel % is consistently around 7%, slightly above the MLB average, indicating a good ability to make quality contact.
- Exit Velocity: The speed of the ball off the bat. His average exit velocity is slightly below the MLB average, but his Max EV is impressive, showing his capability for very hard hits. The 116.8 mph max exit velocity in 2021 is elite.
- Launch Angle: The vertical angle at which the ball leaves the bat. His average launch angle is higher than the MLB average, suggesting he aims to lift the ball, which aligns with his power-hitting profile.
- xwOBA (Expected Weighted On-Base Average): A more predictive version of wOBA, based on the quality of contact (exit velocity and launch angle). Mercedes’s xwOBA is generally in line with his wOBA, suggesting his actual results are well-supported by his batted ball quality.
Batted Ball Profile: Understanding Hit Types
Beyond just the outcomes, understanding the type of batted balls Mercedes produces gives further insight.
| Season | GB % | FB % | LD % | PU % | Pull % | Straight % | Oppo % | Weak % | Topped % | Under % | Flare/Burner % | Solid % | Barrel % | Barrel/PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 | 40.5 | 28.2 | 23.1 | 8.2 | 35.4 | 33.8 | 30.8 | 4.6 | 29.7 | 33.8 | 21.5 | 3.1 | 7.2 | 5.3 |
| 2021 | 40.5 | 28.2 | 23.1 | 8.2 | 35.4 | 33.8 | 30.8 | 4.6 | 29.7 | 33.8 | 21.5 | 3.1 | 7.2 | 5.3 |
| 2021 | 40.5 | 28.2 | 23.1 | 8.2 | 35.4 | 33.8 | 30.8 | 4.6 | 29.7 | 33.8 | 21.5 | 3.1 | 7.2 | 5.3 |
| 2022 | 26.8 | 33.9 | 25.0 | 14.3 | 32.1 | 39.3 | 28.6 | 3.6 | 17.9 | 37.5 | 30.4 | 3.6 | 7.1 | 4.8 |
| 2022 | 26.8 | 33.9 | 25.0 | 14.3 | 32.1 | 39.3 | 28.6 | 3.6 | 17.9 | 37.5 | 30.4 | 3.6 | 7.1 | 4.8 |
| 2022 | 26.8 | 33.9 | 25.0 | 14.3 | 32.1 | 39.3 | 28.6 | 3.6 | 17.9 | 37.5 | 30.4 | 3.6 | 7.1 | 4.8 |
| Player | 37.7 | 29.4 | 23.4 | 9.5 | 34.5 | 35.3 | 30.2 | 4.4 | 27.4 | 34.5 | 23.4 | 3.2 | 7.1 | |
| MLB | 44.4 | 23.8 | 24.7 | 7.1 | 37.2 | 37.5 | 25.2 | 3.9 | 32.6 | 24.8 | 24.4 | 5.9 | 7.0 |
Note: All figures in this table cover the period 2015-present.
- GB% (Ground Ball Percentage): Mercedes’s ground ball rate is lower than the MLB average, further emphasizing his tendency to hit the ball in the air.
- FB% (Fly Ball Percentage): His fly ball percentage is higher than the MLB average, supporting the power-hitting profile.
- LD% (Line Drive Percentage): His line drive percentage is around the league average, indicating a decent ability to hit for average as well.
- Pull%, Straight%, Oppo% (Pull, Straight Away, Opposite Field Percentage): These percentages show his spray chart tendency. He hits to all fields fairly evenly, with a slight pull tendency.
Similar Batters to Yermín Mercedes:
The “Similar Batters” section suggests players with comparable statistical profiles. This can be useful for understanding the type of player Mercedes is, and who his performance might be comparable to.
Run Values by Pitch Type: Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses
Analyzing run values against different pitch types can reveal a hitter’s specific strengths and weaknesses.
| Year | Pitch Type | Team | RV/100 | Run Value | Pitches | % | PA | BA | SLG | wOBA | Whiff% | K% | PutAway % | xBA | xSLG | xwOBA | Hard Hit % |
|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| 2022 | 4-Seam Fastball | | -0.9 | -1 | 149 | 42.2 | 29 | .208 | .375 | .326 | 23.4 | 24.1 | 14.6 | .223 | .435 | .355 | 35.3 |
| 2022 | Curveball | | -1.3 | -1 | 50 | 14.2 | 10 | .300 | .400 | .305 | 19.2 | 20.0 | 10.5 | .284 | .438 | .313 | 37.5 |
| 2022 | Slider | | 2.6 | 1 | 44 | 12.5 | 10 | .300 | .300 | .360 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 21.4 | .211 | .265 | .208 | 0.0 |
| 2022 | Changeup | | 3.8 | 1 | 31 | 8.8 | 11 | .400 | .700 | .486 | 27.8 | 9.1 | 7.7 | .410 | .564 | .448 | 22.2 |
| 2022 | Sinker | | -2.9 | -1 | 31 | 8.8 | 7 | .200 | .200 | .329 | 25.0 | 42.9 | 30.0 | .219 | .240 | .344 | 100.0 |
| 2022 | Cutter | | -5.7 | -1 | 25 | 7.1 | 10 | .111 | .111 | .160 | 17.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | .257 | .326 | .301 | 22.2 |
| 2022 | Sweeper | | -3.7 | 0 | 11 | 3.1 | 3 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 40.0 | 33.3 | 33.3 | .133 | .362 | .205 | 50.0 |
| 2022 | Split-Finger | | 1.1 | 0 | 7 | 2.0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .350 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | .031 | .056 | .370 | 0.0 |
| 2021 | 4-Seam Fastball | | 0.0 | 0 | 372 | 33.9 | 73 | .238 | .397 | .358 | 24.3 | 20.5 | 11.4 | .199 | .368 | .293 | 22.4 |
| 2021 | Slider | | -2.2 | -5 | 242 | 22.1 | 67 | .148 | .262 | .248 | 25.9 | 26.9 | 19.4 | .167 | .309 | .245 | 23.3 |
| 2021 | Sinker | | 2.1 | 3 | 134 | 12.2 | 41 | .342 | .368 | .367 | 2.7 | 7.3 | 7.9 | .279 | .380 | .316 | 28.6 |
| 2021 | Curveball | | 0.0 | 0 | 134 | 12.2 | 29 | .214 | .321 | .279 | 27.4 | 13.8 | 8.2 | .302 | .469 | .344 | 29.2 |
| 2021 | Cutter | | 1.9 | 2 | 86 | 7.8 | 16 | .563 | .563 | .563 | 17.6 | 6.3 | 3.0 | .370 | .516 | .383 | 46.7 |
| 2021 | Changeup | | 3.5 | 3 | 79 | 7.2 | 22 | .429 | .667 | .482 | 26.1 | 4.5 | 4.8 | .309 | .524 | .368 | 35.0 |
| 2021 | Sweeper | | -3.7 | -1 | 27 | 2.5 | 6 | .167 | .167 | .150 | 37.5 | 50.0 | 23.1 | .290 | .337 | .275 | 33.3 |
| 2021 | Split-Finger | | 6.1 | 1 | 15 | 1.4 | 5 | .400 | 1.000 | .580 | 12.5 | 20.0 | 12.5 | .425 | 1.008 | .599 | 75.0 |
| 2020 | 4-Seam Fastball | | -1.2 | 0 | 4 | 66.7 | — | — | — | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | Slider | | -14.2 | 0 | 2 | 33.3 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | .255 | .289 | .232 | 0.0 |
Note: Years are in reverse order.
This table shows how Mercedes performs against different pitch types. Positive Run Values indicate he performs well against those pitches, while negative values suggest struggles.
- Changeups & Split-Fingers: He shows positive run values against changeups and split-finger fastballs, particularly in 2021. His SLG and wOBA are high against these pitches, indicating he can capitalize on them.
- Fastballs & Sliders: His performance against 4-seam fastballs and sliders appears more inconsistent and generally less productive, especially in 2022. Negative run values and lower expected stats suggest these are pitches he finds more challenging.
- Cutters & Sweepers: He also shows negative run values against cutters and sweepers, indicating these are pitch types that pitchers can effectively use against him.
Statcast Batting Run Value & Plate Discipline: Swing Decisions
Run Value can also be broken down by swing decisions, showing how Mercedes’s choices at the plate contribute to his overall offensive value. Plate discipline stats provide context for these decisions.
| Runs |
|---|
| Year |
| 2021 |
| 2022 |
Defensive Shift Fielder Positioning in Baseball
| Season | Pitches | Zone % | Zone Swing % | Zone Contact % | Chase % | Chase Contact % | Edge % | 1st Pitch Swing % | Swing % | Whiff % | Meatball % | Meatball Swing % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 50.0 | 66.7 | 100.0 | 0.0 | — | 33.3 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — |
| 2021 | 1,097 | 44.8 | 70.7 | 83.0 | 39.6 | 70.8 | 41.8 | 26.3 | 53.5 | 22.0 | 6.7 | 74.0 |
| 2021 | 1,097 | 44.8 | 70.7 | 83.0 | 39.6 | 70.8 | 41.8 | 26.3 | 53.5 | 22.0 | 6.7 | 74.0 |
| 2021 | 1,097 | 44.8 | 70.7 | 83.0 | 39.6 | 70.8 | 41.8 | 26.3 | 53.5 | 22.0 | 6.7 | 74.0 |
| 2022 | 353 | 45.0 | 67.9 | 80.6 | 35.1 | 70.6 | 41.6 | 28.9 | 49.9 | 23.3 | 6.2 | 72.7 |
| 2022 | 353 | 45.0 | 67.9 | 80.6 | 35.1 | 70.6 | 41.6 | 28.9 | 49.9 | 23.3 | 6.2 | 72.7 |
| 2022 | 353 | 45.0 | 67.9 | 80.6 | 35.1 | 70.6 | 41.6 | 28.9 | 49.9 | 23.3 | 6.2 | 72.7 |
| Player | 1,456 | 44.8 | 70.0 | 82.5 | 38.4 | 70.8 | 41.8 | 26.9 | 52.5 | 22.2 | 6.5 | |
| MLB | 48.7 | 67.0 | 82.0 | 28.5 | 57.8 | 42.6 | 29.9 | 47.2 | 25.0 | 7.3 |
Note: All figures in this table cover the period 2015-present.
- Run Value (Swing/Take): In 2021, Mercedes generated positive run value on pitches in “Chase” and “Waste” zones, suggesting some success on pitches outside the heart of the plate. However, he lost run value on pitches in the “Heart” zone, which could indicate missed opportunities on hittable pitches. In 2022, his overall run value was negative.
- Plate Discipline:
- Zone%: The percentage of pitches in the strike zone is lower than the MLB average, meaning pitchers tend to pitch around him.
- Zone Swing% & Zone Contact%: He swings at a high percentage of pitches in the zone and makes contact at a decent rate.
- Chase% & Chase Contact%: His chase rate is significantly higher than the MLB average, indicating a tendency to swing at pitches outside the strike zone. However, he also makes contact on a relatively high percentage of those chase swings.
- Whiff%: His whiff rate is slightly below the MLB average, suggesting he is not a high strikeout hitter despite his aggressive approach.
Percentile Rankings & Expected Home Runs: Contextualizing Performance
Percentile rankings provide context by comparing Mercedes to his peers. Expected Home Runs adds another layer to understanding his power.
| Year | xwOBA | xBA | xSLG | xISO | xOBP | Brl | Brl% | EV | Max EV | Hard Hit% | K% | BB% | Whiff% | Chase Rate | Speed | OAA | Arm Strength | Bat Speed | Squared-up Rate | Swing Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 98 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 98 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 79 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 79 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 79 | 17 |
- Percentile Rankings: In 2021, Mercedes ranked exceptionally high (98th percentile) in xwOBA, indicating elite offensive potential based on the quality of his batted balls. However, his xBA percentile was much lower, suggesting some luck might have been involved in his batting average. His percentile rankings dropped in 2022 but remained above average in xwOBA.
Adjusted Expected Home Runs
| Year | Team | Avg HR Trot | Actual HR | xHR | HR-xHR | Doubters | Mostly Gone | No Doubters | No Doubter % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28.0 | 7 | 6.1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 57.1 | |
| 2022 | 22.2 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Player | 27.3 | 8 | 6.1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 50.0 |
Standard Expected Home Runs
| Year | Team | Avg HR Trot | Actual HR | xHR | HR-xHR | Doubters | Mostly Gone | No Doubters | No Doubter % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28.0 | 7 | 7.1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 71.4 | |
| 2022 | 22.2 | 1 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Player | 27.3 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 62.5 |
- Expected Home Runs (xHR): His actual home run totals are close to his expected home runs, suggesting his home run numbers are generally deserved based on his batted ball profile.
Year to Year Changes: Tracking Consistency
Examining year-to-year changes helps identify trends and consistency in performance.
| Metric | 2020 | 2021 | +/- | 2022 | +/- | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exit Velocity | 90.9 | 87.3 | -3.6 | ↓ | 87.5 | 0.2 | ↑ |
| Launch Angle | -0.4 | 15.8 | 16.2 | ↑ | 25.3 | 9.5 | ↑ |
| Barrel % | 0.0 | 7.2 | 7.2 | ↑ | 7.1 | -0.1 | ↓ |
| Hard Hit % | 0.0 | 29.2 | 29.2 | ↑ | 28.6 | -0.6 | ↓ |
| LA Sweet-Spot % | 0.0 | 35.4 | 35.4 | ↑ | 42.9 | 7.5 | ↑ |
| xBA | .255 | .246 | -0.009 | ↓ | .253 | 0.007 | ↑ |
| BA | .000 | .271 | 0.271 | ↑ | .233 | -0.038 | ↓ |
| xwOBA | .232 | .313 | 0.081 | ↑ | .329 | 0.016 | ↑ |
| wOBA | .000 | .317 | 0.317 | ↑ | .301 | -0.016 | ↓ |
| xSLG | .289 | .417 | 0.128 | ↑ | .392 | -0.025 | ↓ |
| SLG | .000 | .404 | 0.404 | ↑ | .342 | -0.062 | ↓ |
| K% | 0.0 | 17.6 | 17.6 | ↑ | 20.5 | 2.9 | ↑ |
| BB% | 0.0 | 7.6 | 7.6 | ↑ | 10.8 | 3.2 | ↑ |
| Swing % | 33.3 | 53.5 | 20.2 | ↑ | 49.9 | -3.6 | ↓ |
| Whiff% | 0.0 | 22.0 | 22.0 | ↑ | 23.3 | 1.3 | ↑ |
| In Zone % | 50.0 | 44.8 | -5.2 | ↓ | 45.0 | 0.2 | ↑ |
| Out of Zone % | 50.0 | 55.2 | 5.2 | ↑ | 55.0 | -0.2 | ↓ |
| Out of Zone Swing % | 0.0 | 39.6 | 39.6 | ↑ | 35.1 | -4.5 | ↓ |
| First Pitch Swing % | 0.0 | 26.3 | 26.3 | ↑ | 28.9 | 2.6 | ↑ |
| First Pitch Strike % | 0.0 | 59.5 | 59.5 | ↑ | 61.4 | 1.9 | ↑ |
- Key Trends:
- Launch Angle & Sweet Spot: Significant increases in launch angle and sweet-spot percentage from 2020 to 2021 and further to 2022 indicate a conscious effort to optimize his launch angle for better results.
- xwOBA & xSLG: Both xwOBA and xSLG improved from 2020 to 2021 and again in 2022, suggesting consistent improvement in the quality of his batted balls.
- Swing Rate: Swing rate increased dramatically from 2020 to 2021, but slightly decreased in 2022, possibly indicating a slight adjustment in approach.
- Strikeout Rate (K%) & Walk Rate (BB%): Both strikeout and walk rates increased over the years, suggesting a more aggressive approach at the plate but also improved patience.
Fielder Positioning & Pitch Tempo: Contextual Factors
| wOBA |
|---|
| Season |
| 2020 |
| 2021 |
| 2022 |
Note: Shifts are through the 2022 season, Shaded starting from the 2023 season, Shift: three or more infielders are on the same side of second base, Shade: positioned outside of their typical responsible slices of the field.
| Bases Empty | Runners On Base |
|---|---|
| Season | Team |
| 2020 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2022 |
- Fielder Positioning (Shift Data): The shift data shows an increasing percentage of shifts against Mercedes over time, especially in 2022. Interestingly, his wOBA against the shift in 2021 was significantly higher than with no shift, suggesting the shift may not have been effective against him in that year. However, in 2022, his wOBA against the shift was lower.
- Pitch Tempo: The pitch tempo data provides a glimpse into the pace of play when Mercedes is batting. It shows the average time between pitches with bases empty and runners on base.
Conclusion: A Statistically Driven Player Profile
Yermin Mercedes’s stats paint a picture of a power-hitting, aggressive hitter with the ability to make quality contact, particularly on pitches in the heart of the zone and offspeed pitches. His percentile rankings in xwOBA highlight his potential offensive impact. While his plate discipline metrics indicate an aggressive approach with a higher chase rate, his year-to-year improvements in launch angle and expected stats suggest a player who is actively working to optimize his offensive game. Monitoring his performance against fastballs and sliders, and how he adjusts to defensive shifts, will be key to understanding his continued development and effectiveness at the major league level.
