Chicago White Sox: Three players making case for roster spot

3. Yermin Mercedes

This is definitely going to be one of the most fascinating cases to watch this spring training with the catcher position already being a hot topic.

Yermin Mercedes, 27, has been super impressive so far as he’s 6-for-13 (.462) with two home runs, one double, and six RBI.

That has put him in the conversation to make the team despite not having registered a plate appearance above Triple-A Charlotte, where he hit .310/.386/.647 with 17 home runs, 62 RBI, and a 150 wRC+ over 53 games in 2019 (FanGraphs).

While he’s only been used as a catcher in spring training, Mercedes actually has experience playing third base, first base, and both corner outfield spots throughout his minor league career.

Mercedes, 27, is an extremely interesting choice for a roster spot in 2020 because of that.

The backup catcher debate has been a hot topic in spring training despite having James McCann behind Yasmani Grandal at the moment.

I recently argued why McCann should not simply be handed the backup catcher role and Mercedes was part of that equation.

Even if he is handed it, Mercedes could still make the team because of his versatility, which could be very useful on what could very well be a four-man bench, at best.

A three-man bench would be in order if the team were to use their 26th roster spot on an eighth reliever.

Of the three players mentioned in this article, Mercedes certainly is the most intriguing option for the Chicago White Sox in 2020.