Miami Marlins hitter is headed for a breakout

More and more I'm starting to believe in a breakout from new first baseman Matt Mervis. From the moment the trade happened, I was hopeful that Peter Bendix saw something in Mervis that would lead to big results. MLB.com is certainly becoming impressed with him in Spring Training. Can Mervis really step up and be a middle of the order difference-maker this season?

Matt Mervis is looking for a big season with the Miami Marlins.

Matt Mervis is a 26 year old former top prospect with the Chicago Cubs, who is finally getting a chance to truly make an impact with the Miami Marlins. He hasn't done so with Chicago. He debuted with the Major League team in 2023, when he batted .167/.242/.289, with 3 home runs and 11 RBI in 27 games and 90 AB. He followed that up in 2024, with an even worse .115/.148/.154 batting line, with 0 home runs and 3 RBI in 9 games and 26 AB. He was worth -0.4 WAR in each season.

Those Major League results are not reflective of what we've seen him capable of doing in the Minor Leagues. Back in AAA in 2023, he batted .282/.399/.533, with 22 home runs and 78 RBI in 100 games and 362 AB. That was impressive production and I still believe that he can do something similar in the Major Leagues. It certainly looks like Peter Bendix believes that, which is why he acquired him in the first place.

As MLB.com points out, Matt Mervis has been very impressive in Spring Training this season. He's currently batting .270/.289/.568 in ST, with 3 home runs and 7 RBI in 11 games and 37 AB. The OBP is concerning, but the rest of the numbers looks pretty solid. I can definitely see him carrying it over into the Major League season. Will we actually see Matt Mervis have a big year? Let's hope so as the best way for the Miami Marlins to improve is exactly this way, by finding hidden gems like he might be. That's the way unless the team starts spending more.