After getting 90 at-bats in 2023 at the big league level, former organizational top prospect Matt Mervis has been called up to the show by the Cubs on Tuesday. Hayden Wesneski will join the first baseman in the same move, with the corresponding transactions not being confirmed at this point.
An update to this story: The Cubs are calling up Matt Mervis from Triple-A. https://t.co/fLArGtyFUx
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) April 23, 2024
A Season Ago
Mervis got his first taste of action at the highest level early last summer in Chicago. The now 26-year-old didn’t last long in the show, being sent down after 27 games. In his 99 career plate appearances, Mervis didn’t perform all too well against big-league pitching. The left-handed hitting slugger hit .167 and slugged .289. This all came while he split time at first base and as the team’s designated hitter.
The struggles for Mervis came as a disappointment for Cub fans. His numbers that he posted in the Cubs Minor League system were extremely promising leading up to his call-up. This included the 36 home runs and 119 runs driven in that the former Duke Blue Devil produced across three levels in 2022.
Thus Far in Iowa
After the organization traded for Michael Busch from the Dodgers back in January, it was clear that Mervis might not have a clear path to big league playing time in 2024. Not making the Opening Day roster as a bench bat, Mervis returned to Des Moines to start his season. In 18 games with the I-Cubs, the 2020 undrafted free agent has put together a decent showing in AAA. Mervis has a slash line of .288/.402/.606 to go along with his five homers, six doubles, and 13 runs driven in. He has spent 16 games at first base, with the other two coming as Iowa’s designated hitter so far. Mervis sits with under 100 at-bats in Des Moines, but he looks comfortable at the plate per usual at the AAA level.
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
It’s unknown whether a Cub on the active roster is heading to the IL. A swap of bats could be on the table here as well. Either way, this could be one of the last chances Mervis receives at the big league level in Chicago. He also might not get consistent at-bats in his first Major League stint in 2024. He’ll have to capitalize on any opportunities he can.
Main Photo Credits: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
