BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues/NL-Only
ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Chicago Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis was called up Tuesday in a corresponding move as Garrett Cooper was designated for assignment.
The first baseman was off to a scorching start with Triple-A Iowa, riding a .288/.402/.606 line across the opening 18 games.
Matt Mervis crushing a long ball is fitting for the @GreatClips clip of the home stand from this past week 💪 pic.twitter.com/7wloXj0dYs
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) April 23, 2024
The 14th-ranked prospect in the Chicago system struggled in his small taste of the majors last season. The 26-year-old posted a .167/.242/.289 with three home runs across 99 plate appearances.
He had a hefty 32.3% K rate, which eventually resulted in his demotion back to the minor leagues last season, but he did post a 50.0% hard-hit rate, which shows his potential if he can make constant contact with the ball.
Mervis should only be rostered in NL-only and deeper 15-team leagues for now, as playing time is not guaranteed. Currently, Mervis will be in a time split at first base with Michael Busch. Busch should continue to see a majority of starts, as he has launched six home runs with a .309 AVG in the opening month of the season. He could shift over to the hot corner, opening up more playing time for Mervis.
As a result, Mervis should be seen as a deep-league stash who could eventually work out a role as a designated hitter and serve as the occasional first baseman on the North Side, especially while Seiya Suzuki (oblique) and Ian Happ (hamstring) are sidelined with injuries.
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