Cade
Merka

We have seen Merka a ton over the past couple of years as he has been an every day starter for two State Championship teams for the Eagles. Merka moves easy at shortstop and displays the footwork, hands, and arm strength that should allow him to be an impact player in the SEC for Texas A&M. Ran a 7.11 60-yard dash, put up a 91 mph exit velocity, and was 86 mph across the field from SS.

06.30.18
Fresh off a UIL State Championship, and undefeated season for Argyle HS, Merka is still getting after it with his summer team. The tools are there to play on the left side of the infield at the collegiate level, but it’s the way he takes the field - every inning - including the ones where his team was down, that stood out. He is an active player at shortstop, you can see him going through his prep steps every pitch, moving on foul balls, and grinding out at-bats. He made a nice run through play in the first, and a backhand in the six hole later in the game. The right-handed hitter was 1-for-3 at the plate, he squared up a curveball in the first, hitting into a double play, lined out off the cap to centerfield, and barreled up a single over the shortstops head. In a game that was out of hand early, Merka never stopped playing.

10.28.17 Merka is an athletic infielder with a quick twitch, lean-muscular, high-waisted frame at 6-foot, 160-pounds. He has smooth actions, quick footwork, and good rhythm through the ball. A solid, 7.11-runner, Merka’s first step when fielding ground balls is quicker than that, and he takes efficient routes while displaying adequate hands, and an accurate, 83 mph arm across the infield. With his ability to play on the run, Merka projects to stay on the left side of the infield at the next level. The right-handed hitter starts from an open, tall stance and loads back with smooth rhythm. Short stride, good separation with his hands back and good energy in his lower half as he transfers his weight through contact. Strong hands at contact with a gap approach, loose finish with an exit velocity of 89 mph. With his athletic frame and quick-twitch actions in the middle of the field, look for Merka to catch the attention of college recruiters as he continues to develop and add strength.

10.21.17 - Merka is an athletic two-way player with a quick twitch, lean-muscular, high-waisted frame at 6-foot, 160-pounds. Merka did his best work of the day at shortstop where he showed smooth actions, quick footwork, and good rhythm through the ball. A solid, 7.11-runner, Merka’s first step when fielding ground balls is quicker than that, and he takes efficient routes while displaying adequate hands, and an accurate, 83 mph arm across the infield. With his ability to play on the run, Merka projects to stay on the left side of the infield at the next level. The right-handed hitter starts from an open, tall stance and loads back with smooth rhythm. Short stride, good separation with his hands back and good energy in his lower half as he transfers his weight through contact. Strong hands at contact with a gap approach, loose finish with an exit velocity of 89 mph. A competitor by nature, Merka also shows the ability to hop on the mound where he has run his fastball up to 84 mph. With his athletic frame and quick-twitch actions in the middle of the field, look for Merka to catch the attention of college recruiters as he continues to develop and add strength.