LOS ANGELES — Yermín Mercedes has a habit of referring to himself in the third person.
It’s not a cocky thing. Not overly bombastic. He says it calmly, introspectively. It’s just Yermín.
“When I say that, it’s because I don’t want to change what I’m doing,” Mercedes told KNBR July 21. “I don’t want to change because some people outside are talking about me. ‘Yoo, Yermín’s doing something bad.’ It’s not true. Because if I do something, it’s because I know what I’m doing. That’s the reason I’m here with the big-league team, because I’m doing Yermín. If I’m doing something not Yermín, then I’m not here.”
Being Yermín got Mercedes to this point, in front of 53,165 people in Dodger Stadium, on ESPN, with the bases loaded. Exactly one year before the at-bat, Mercedes sent out an Instagram post announcing he was stepping away from the game he’s played his entire life.
Mercedes struck out with the bases loaded, but just the fact that he was there — fouling off high fastballs, swapping out his cracked bat, digging his spikes into the dirt — is an achievement. One that required the help of Hall of Famers and a commitment to being himself.
A year ago, Mercedes’ baseball career nearly spiraled out of control. His Instagram post featured a black box that said “It’s Over” with a caption including a thank-you message for his family and agent, and a plea for forgiveness from all those affected by “the fruit of my immaturity.”
Mercedes, 29, remembers feeling just so frustrated at that moment. After climbing through three organizations for 10 years, he’d finally gotten a taste of MLB for the White Sox. He won American League Rookie of the Month in April after getting a hit in his first eight career at-bats.
Then his manager criticized him for ignoring a take sign in a 3-0 count. His performance plummeted. He got sent back down to the minors.
After sending out his retirement message, Mercedes’ phone kept ringing. Pedro Martínez, Albert Pujols, José Reyes and Carlos Gómez reached out. The Dominican baseball heroes reminded him that he’s too talented to quit now.
“Because those people like that talking with me, calling with me, trying to figure it out with my family and my other friends to help me in that moment,” Mercedes said. “Because I needed that. I needed help.”
Mercedes reported to his Triple-A team the next day. He admits now that he hasn’t matured necessarily too much in the year since then, but focuses now on filtering out any negative energy and absorbing positives.
When Mercedes was eventually designated for assignment and the Giants claimed him off waivers, he celebrated by dousing himself with champagne. Through all the adversity, he never stopped being Yermín.
The Giants gave him another chance. His comeback is a story of raw talent, sure, but also of resilience and a work ethic that can get lost behind the gold YM chain, wide smiles and full-body tattoos.
With the Giants, Mercedes has played DH, first base, left field and an inning of catcher. He’s worked pregame with position staffers — including catching coach Craig Albernaz — to fit in as seamlessly as possible. He praised both the Giants’ coaching staff and his teammates; the admiration is mutual.
His pregame batting practice sessions have become the most entertaining to watch on the club, bar none. He once made a friendly wager that he could park one into McCovey Cove, something no right-handed hitter has ever done.
In his 15 games, the slugger has hit second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth in the order. On July 12, his teammates mobbed him in the Oracle Park home clubhouse after he drove in four runs and scored thrice in a blowout win.
Mercedes has a .766 OPS in 16 games with the Giants and has particularly been effective with the platoon advantage over left-handed pitchers.
“When we watch him in the batter’s box, it looks like he’s going to do some damage or draw a walk,” manager Gabe Kapler said July 12. “He just looks on every pitch.”
The Giants believe in the talent. And Yermín believes in Yermín.
“My history in baseball has been difficult,” Mercedes said. “Every year, every day, every month, every moment, I just keep working hard. Keep grinding. Keep doing what I’m doing…Because I’m Yermín, so when I Yermín, everything’s going to be perfect. Everything’s going to be good.”
