If the player development revolution and details revealed in The MVP Machine has taught us anything it’s this: believe players when they say they’ve revamped their swing.
Oscar Mercado did just that during the offseason, and the Indians took notice. It took him a bit longer than some would have liked to get his shot in the majors, but from his debut on May 14 against the Chicago White Sox onward, he has surpassed expectations. He's here to stay.
Projection systems, for one, did not see coming the 116 wRC+ hitter that Mercado has been through his first 26 games.