Jose
Mercado

Preseason All-State Showcase (February 11th, 2017)
Mercado has a physical build at 5-foot-11 185-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.26. Offensively- LHH starts with a tall and narrow setup and a slightly opened stance. Hands are just above shoulder and close to head. As pitch comes in, he uses a weight transfer and small foot stride to start swing. Hand load is small as they move up and back. Balanced, quiet approach. Hips clear the zone with some elasticity. Creates some lift to swing, extension in arms helps him create some power. Exit Velocity topped at 71 mph. Defensively- short, stabby arm action - throws topped at 82 mph. Fields ground balls on outside of foot to provide him some momentum going forward into a crow hop.


Last Chance Open I.D. Showcase (November 5th, 2016)
Mercado has a stocky build at 5-foot-9 180-pounds. Offensively-  recorded an exit velocity of 81 mph. Starts with feet slightly opened and hands below shoulder with bat perpendicular with the ground. As pitch comes in, hands load back and up first, just before weight shifts back. Small leg lift and stride brings lower half back to a square position with hands high and bat wrapped around head. Short path to the ball, finishes on back leg. Defensively- attacks groundballs well from the outfield position. Recorded velocities that topped at 83 mph. Finishes through throws  from OF, positions body well to gain momentum toward target.


9/20/15 -- Mercado is athletic and fast twitch at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds. He's a solid runner with a chance to eventually be around a 6.8-6.9 in the future. He hits from the left side and shows some length in his swing with a high finish. He has some pop to his pull side and when facing higher velocity, he does a good job of shortening his swing and thinking middle of the field. He moves well and shows a strong arm in the OF. He is likely a future CF/RF in college depending on how he matures physically. He's raw on the mound but has arm speed from a 3/4 arm slot. He gets a good bit of arm side run to his fastball that topped at 80 miles-per-hour. His breaking ball isn't yet developed but left-handers with arm speed have a chance to figure it out.