Mercer still starting SS despite arrival of Kang
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates say Jung Ho Kang’s words were twisted by the Korean media.
As he got ready to leave his native South Korea after agreeing to a four-year, $11-million contact with the Pirates in January, Kang was quoted as saying he was coming to the Pirates to be the starting shortstop and felt he was a better player than Jordy Mercer, the incumbent at the position.
Pirates management insists Kang’s words were taken out of context and twisted. Of course, that is the default defense used any time anyone puts their foot in their mouth.
Regardless, Kang will begin the season as a utility infielder and Mercer will remain the starting shortstop.
Outwardly, Mercer remains unfazed by Kang’s comments. In fact, he says he is glad to have the reigning Most Valuable Player of the Korean Baseball Organization as a teammate.
“It obviously gives you some kind of a competition edge,” Mercer said of Kang having designs on his job. “Competition, ultimately, brings out the best in you. When you see stuff he supposedly said and you’ve got to like the confidence that he brings and think he’s going to help us out.”
Though his numbers aren’t flashy like Kang’s .360 batting average and 40 home runs last season in KBO as his own in the major leagues, Mercer has put together two solid seasons as the Pirates’ starting shortstop.
He hit .255 with 12 home runs in 149 games last season while, according to the various advanced defensive metrics, played exceptionally well in the field. Mercer also overcame a horrible start in which he batted .190 with one home run in his first 152 plate appearances.
Manager Clint Hurdle stuck with Mercer, though, and he batted .280 with 11 home runs in his final 403 trips to the plate.
“Not a lot of people understand it and it took me a while to understand it, but eventually you have to learn from your mistakes and setbacks,” Mercer, 28, said. “Ultimately, it makes you better. I learned so much in that two-month span.
“It was my first full season breaking camp with the team being the opening day guy. I wanted to get off to a hot start and prove everybody right that I was the right guy for the job.”
With the presence of Kang, Mercer will have to prove himself again this season.
“You always have to prove yourself in this game,” Mercer said.