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Fantasy Baseball Hot Take Alert: Ride the hot bat of Yermin Mercedes

Chris Henrique 0 Comments , , ,

White Sox Yermin Mercedes is a man on a mission to start the 2021 season. 

The White Sox Yermin Mercedes isn’t a household Fantasy Baseball player name. Mercedes however has been red hot since the beginning of the season. After winning a roster spot in Spring Training, Mercedes was added to the White Sox roster as a third catcher. 

Mercedes who is poor defensively, has been getting the start at DH for the White Sox. Chicago is looking for offense after learning they would lose outfielder Eloy Jimenez for the majority of the season. Jimenez has a torn pectoral muscle. 

On Friday night, Mercedes was the main story in the White Sox 12-8 win over the Angels. The 28-year-old made his first Opening Day start and raked the entire game going 5-for-5 with a double and four RBI. 

The Hot Streak Continues

That hot streak continued on Saturday night as Mercedes started the season 8-for-8. White Sox twitter immediately nicknamed him the Yerminator. He was the first player in the modern era, since 1900, to begin the season with eight straight hits, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. 

In his final at-bat in last night’s game, Mercedes would finally stopped and he made an out. He would go 3-for-4 with a double and a home run in the loss to the Angels. 

Prior to making the White Sox this season, Mercedes had one big league plate appearance. That plate appearance came last season during the shortened season, he would go 0-for1. 

Mercedes journey to the bigs was a long one, in fact a journey that spanned almost 2,400 minor league player appearances. He was a career .302 hitter in the minors which spans over eight seasons. 

The White Sox first acquired Mercedes in the Rule 5 draft after team scout John Tumminia noticed his power. Tumminia liked Mercedes ability to bat the ball and that he also offered deceptive athleticism. After the Orioles failed to protect Mercedes back in 2017, he was selected by the White Sox. While in the White Sox system all Mercedes did at the plate was mash. His inability to be consistent behind the plate delayed his call up to the bigs. 

All that is now history for Mercedes who is making a case to stick with Chicago. After almost a decade in the minors, Mercedes is trying to seize his current opportunity. 

Mercedes Fantasy Impact

What does he offer from a fantasy perspective? 

He only is eligible at UT or utility right now, so if early on in the season you’re looking for offense, he is a must add. While he has the hot bat, owners who are in a daily league should take advantage of the Yerminator. 

Another factor in Mercedes time in the majors will be Andrew Vaughn. The 23-year-old Vaughn is playing left field while Jimenez is on the IL. If the young left fielder can be a capable defender for the White Sox it will give the club no reason to look for defense elsewhere. That will mean Mercedes will be able to be the team’s DH but he will have to do his part and swing a hot stick.

It is incredibly unrealistic to think he will remain on this torrid start but while he is hitting, he is a must start. He may not be a long term player but as in any Fantasy Baseball season, you should always find a hot bat and ride that, go get Mercedes for now.

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– Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique on Twitter)

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